OB/GYN Residency Clinic

A Medical College of Wisconsin resident and clinic patient discuss her prenatal care.

Columbia St. Mary's OB/GYN Clinic received the March of Dimes 2005 Award for Community Service

The Columbia St. Mary's OB/GYN Clinic is a residency-based program in collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Clinic has been in existence for more than 30 years, serving women with limited resources in the Milwaukee community, by offering insurance-based care, sliding scale contracts to pregnant women without insurance, and charity care to women needing gynecological services. Many patients are covered by governmental programs such as BadgerCare, Medicaid, Healthy Start, Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP), and Medicare. Many Latina and non-documented women, who are ineligible for governmental support, also receive care at the clinic through the sliding scale contracts and charity care. Over 40% of the clients are Spanish-speaking. Bilingual staffing and interpreter support help to deliver respectful and effective care.

The OB/GYN Clinic is an important provider of health care in the community. An OB patient roster of more than 150 patients, an average of 250 OB appointments per month and 325 deliveries per year reflect the impact of the Clinic. Although many clients face economic, linguistic and social challenges that could affect their prenatal care and birth outcomes, the Clinic’s birth outcomes meet or exceed community standards. Strong case management services are provided to patients through a bilingual staff.

An expanding GYN program also provides learning opportunities to residents and high quality care to over 400 patients each year.

Patient Story

Not Turned Around 
Monica’s pregnancy was a challenge from the beginning. Her family was disappointed because they had hoped she would be the one whose life was not turned around by early pregnancy. Monica herself had been born to a teen mother and was raised by her grandmother. At age 16 and diabetic, however, she faced many physical challenges. With alcoholism in her family, she faced social and emotional challenges as well.
 
The OB/GYN Clinic was up to the challenge, however. The staff made sure to give her extra time to understand all aspects of her diabetes and its management. Medical residents were careful to sit down with her to listen to her questions. As her case manager, Jill was very involved with supporting Monica in any area needed. She helped Monica to keep clinic appointments regularly and to bring in her information about monitoring her diabetic diet. Jill reinforced the education that Monica had received about diet and exercise. She also referred Monica to “Blanket of Love”, a prenatal support program run by a Columbia St. Mary's parish nurse within the community. Monica attended for the childbirth education and the social support of other young mothers.
 
Monica also attended the special OB/GYN High Risk Clinic session for high risk mothers run by a Columbia St. Mary's Perinatologist. She had some complications of her pregnancy that required hospitalization at times for her health and for the health of her baby. Monica was able to cooperate with the medical requirements and overcome her many challenges to eventually deliver a healthy baby by Caesarian section. She has come to the Clinic’s postpartum visit and plans to continue with the Blanket of Love program to receive education and support for her parenting. She still hopes to be the one family member whose life was not “turned around” by an early pregnancy.

Contact Information

Columbia St. Mary's OB/GYN Residency Clinic
2320 N. Lake Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53211

To schedule an appointment, call (414) 291-1235, option 2.

If you have any questions about the OB/GYN Residency Clinic, please call Barb Gesme, Clinic Manager, at (414) 291-1232.

Clinic Hours
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with specific hours devoted to medical appointments.
 
Referrals
The OB/GYN Residency Clinic serves women with and without insurance coverage, although the number of sliding scale prenatal care contracts and GAMP slots each month is limited. Patients or referring providers should contact the clinic through its general phone number for initial appointments as soon as the need for care is determined.