The other day I was reflecting about work and my practice. This is an amazing time to be in women’s healthcare. Now, more than ever, do we have safe and effective options for the multitude of issues that we as women face throughout our life, from adolescence through menopause. Because I share a passion for Integrative Medicine, but also because I am a staunch advocate for safety and evidence-based medicine, I have modeled my practice to be a traditional Gynecologic practice offering Integrative elements for wellness and lifestyle medicine. I am grateful that our practice is still locally owned and operated. The numbers of practices now being acquired by large hospital systems is increasing at staggering rates, and with this trend unfortunately comes a loss of continuity and personal connection for patients.
After recently reading an article about how physician burn-out is at an all time high, I thought about what it is that makes me happy and fulfilled as a physician. It is by far the fact that we truly have the best patients in the world. I have repeatedly said that our patients inspire me daily with their strength, compassion, sense of humor and love of life in general. It is a privilege to be able to serve such amazing women. In order to show my gratitude, I feel strongly about making sure that we here at the Couri Center continue to offer services that improve the lives of our patients and empower them with the tools needed to live life to the fullest. The following is a small compilation of some of my favorite “tools” in women’s healthcare today.
harmonié bioidentical hormone replacement system – This plant-based hormone system is truly one of my favorite services that we provide. Hormone balancing is critical for optimal health and well-being, and this system is so successful because it is tailored to each patient individually. Women who use this system are noticing increased energy and libido, the elimination of hot flashes and night sweats, improved sleep and mood, better mental clarity and less vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse. I highly recommend.
MonaLisa Touch™ vaginal laser therapy – This treatment is FDA approved for vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse that typically comes with menopause. Menopause often causes symptoms such as vaginal dryness, burning, itching as well as pain with intercourse, urinary urgency and frequency and possibly even mild urinary incontinence. Unfortunately, many of the common treatments for breast cancer can also cause these vaginal symptoms due to decreasing estrogen levels in the body. MonaLisa Touch™ is a non-hormonal treatment option that is safe for all women, especially well suited for women with breast cancer or other female cancers in which estrogen replacement is contraindicated. This laser therapy is a quick, painless in office procedure that restores the vaginal tissue to its premenopausal state. This translates into no more pain with intercourse, more vaginal moisture without the need for lubricants, less vaginal burning or itching and improved bladder symptoms. It is truly life changing, and the results that I am seeing in my patients are nothing less than amazing. You owe it to yourself to learn more. The next informational lecture about the MonaLisa Touch™ laser treatment will be held on February 02 at 5:30 pm.
Novasure endometrial ablation and Mirena IUD – Both options are quite effective in treating heavy menstrual bleeding. Let’s face it – heavy periods can be very disruptive in our lives. Life is difficult enough – parenting, working, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, etc. Women are taking on more and more roles and are caregivers to everyone while putting ourselves on the “back-burners”. This is yet one more stressor that affects our quality of life and detracts from our productivity. We don’t have to live with it anymore. Both of these options are FDA approved, minimally invasive, and designed to improve or eliminate heavy menstrual bleeding. Don’t put up with heavy periods any longer. Ask us today how we can help.
da Vinci® Robotic Surgery – When the need arises for a hysterectomy or removal of one or both ovaries, the da Vinci® robotic surgery option offers numerous potential benefits over traditional approaches including significantly less pain, minimal blood loss, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and return to normal activities, and small incisions for minimal scarring and a better cosmetic outcome. For me, some of the benefits include greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access to the surgical area. I have been performing robotic surgery now for over 5 years and am in continued awe of its versatility and superiority in advancing surgical care for women of all ages.
Alletess food sensitivity testing- Food sensitivities may be caused by many factors such as stress, infections, overeating, artificial preservatives, additives, molds, pesticides, antibiotics, and environmental pollutants. Unidentified food sensitivities can then contribute to many chronic health conditions: including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, headaches, autism, ADD/ADHD, eczema, chronic ear infections, gut malabsorption, insomnia, joint pain, and many others. Food sensitivity testing at the Couri Center also includes a visit with our Registered Dietitian, Leslie Rusch-Bayer to review results and individualized treatment and dietary plans.
TLC™ Program – The Total Lifestyle by Couri program is the ultimate “Executive Wellness” program that is geared towards optimizing health and making sustainable lifestyle changes that are guaranteed to improve overall health and wellbeing. This program has been known to reverse diabetes, lower cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease as well as promoting healthy weight loss. This program includes food sensitivity testing, personal training sessions, individualized dietary planning, detoxification, and so much more. Learn more at our Wine & Wellness event as we host a casual panel Q & A on TLC™ Tuesday, January 10 at 5:30 pm. RSVP: https://www.couricenter.com/event/january-wine-wellness-night-tlc/
You have asked for it. I have listened, and now it is available at the Couri Center. The newest tool in our toolbox to empower women to look and feel their best is our Laser Aesthetic System. This state of the art laser provides a comprehensive suite of the most popular treatments, from hair removal to wrinkle reduction to scar and stretch mark treatment, for all skin types. In addition, it offers the ability to perform a three-in-one laser treatment – the proven way to solve wrinkles, sun damage and facial veins all at the same time. The laser hair removal treatments for the face and body will launch the Couri Center’s Aesthetic Studio, this January, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring these services to you. Watch the newsletter, Facebook, and our website for our special introductory pricing-available now.
The Couri Center Retail Center – Our way of helping you select the safest and most effective supplements for your individual needs. Relax in knowing that we have done our homework when it comes to choosing the very best supplements from reputable brands. This way, you can save time because we have done the research for you.
Lastly, one of my very favorite tools in our toolbox is not a procedure or a treatment at all. It consists of our amazing staff. I am blessed with the most talented and compassionate staff around. The Couri Center employs 3 Advanced Practice nurses (Sue, Terry and Dana) and 2 Physician Assistants (Hope and Renee) as well as our Registered Dietitian (Leslie). In addition, the clinical staff includes 4 RN’s (Theresa, Susie, Kris, and Geni) as well as an LPN (Gail) and an MOA (Lisa). We have a sonographer (Amber) who is also my Laser Assistant. Our clerical staff includes our Insurance Billers/Coders (Rhonda, Tara and Debbie), our Surgery Scheduler (Alyce), and our front office schedulers (Kelly, Jill, and Vic), and our Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Pellet Coordinator (Becky). Our Marketing Director (Cheryl) is the brains behind all of our branding, printed materials, social media, events, newsletter and website. Finally, our laboratory would be completely dysfunctional without our Phlebotomists (Carmen and Kelly). In August 2017 I will proudly welcome Dr. Kaleb Jacobs, DO, a Gynecologist, and Peoria native, to join us here at the Couri Center!
This entire team of talented and devoted individuals has one goal in mind when they come to work each day – to improve and enrich the lives of our patients through their hard work and dedication. They often work late, work weekends, and miss family functions to make sure that the health and well being of our patients is never sacrificed. As the “captain of the ship” per-se, I cannot think of a better group of women to share this journey with. To them, I am forever grateful.
And to all of you, our cherished patients, let me also express my gratitude for your trust in us as your healthcare provider. It is truly an honor to serve you.
To Your Health,
Dr. Couri