Today we’d like to introduce you to Lillian Schapiro.
Lillian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After practicing OB/GYN in Atlanta for 20 years, I decided to focus entirely on gynecology. I owe Dikembe Mutombo a huge thank you for the time I spent at the hospital he built in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo. My three trips there were the only times I focused entirely on gynecology and it was incredibly rewarding. When the eye doctor who was helping blind people see thanked me for helping the women suffering from fibroids, it gave me a new sense of the importance of my work. Upon returning to the US, I found out that there is actually a shortage of gynecologists in my area.
I specialize in women’s concerns throughout the life cycle. Following a young woman cope with teenage periods, contraception and then being with her through her efforts to start a family is one of my favorite things. Now, I am taking care of the young women that I have delivered. I love the longevity of my relationships. I am helping new patients and many women who have been with me for years through perimenopause and menopause. The challenges of terrible periods, irregular periods and fibroids are one of my specialities. One of the main problems of any woman who has had children and even in women who have not is weakening of the pelvic muscles over time. At Ideal Gynecology, we offer a variety of treatments including dietary and behavioral change, supportive pessaries, therapy and surgery.
Having spent almost 20 years as a partner in first a group of 4 that eventually became 20+, I learned many important business lessons and also developed ideas of what I wanted to do to make Ideal Gynecology a unique and welcoming place. Serving on the Board of the Piedmont Clinic also gave me a front seat to the business of medicine. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted and made to feel comfortable. One of the first things I did was to make sure my patients have soft gowns. The little details are so important. I knew that patients like to have as much as possible managed in one place, so I have two excellent ultrasound machines and a very talented and gentle person performing that service. I am a doctor because I love taking care of patients, but as the founder of Ideal Gynecology, I made sure that we handle billing issues as discreetly as possible, in a private office.
I love talking to people and I have to thank everyone who talked to me about business in general and the business of medicine.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been an amazingly smooth road. I moved to Atlanta and took a position in the suburbs. After my twin daughters were born, we moved into the city and I joined a wonderful group where my practice grew over twenty years. When I was ready to transition to the next phase of a gynecology practice, my patients followed me. I love marketing, so getting new patients has come very easily. I am now taking care of the women that I delivered 20 years ago. I continue to take care of their mothers and often their grandmothers. One young woman told me her grandmother referred her to me. I have been fortunate to have an article about me or my new practice each of the first months following my opening. Shortly after that, I was back on HLN. I enjoy blogging on my website and educating women about their health.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Ideal Gynecology focuses on women throughout the life cycle. We specialize in contraception, fertility, irregular bleeding, fibroids, heavy periods, pelvic pain, endometriosis, PCOS, menopause and urinary incontinence. What sets me apart is my commitment to each individual woman who comes in to my office. I address each concern within the patient’s life demands. I discuss and am able to offer everything from dietary changes, pessaries, pelvic floor therapy and surgery for my patients dealing with urinary incontinence. For irregular bleeding, heavy periods, fibroids, pelvic pain and endometriosis, I am able to offer treatments from medications, noninvasive procedures and surgery. What sets me apart is our relationship with our patients and the atmosphere at Ideal Gynecology. I love what I do.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is a great city. I have patients who have been my patients for twenty years and patients who have just moved to town. My colleagues have been incredibly helpful and supportive of my new venture at Ideal Gynecology. I operate at terrific hospitals. I would absolutely recommend Atlanta as a vibrant, growing community.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3200 Downwood Circle, Suite 220,
Atlanta, GA 30327 - Website: www.idealgynecology.com
- Phone: (470) 312-3696
- Email: tgipson@idealgynecology.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/pg/idealgynecology/about/?ref=page_internal
- Twitter: @yourfavoritegyn
- Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/ideal-gynecology-atlanta
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/rschapir
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