Get to know Jennifer McLeland MD!
We are excited to welcome Jennifer McLeland MD to our advisory team!
She is originally from Huntington, West Virginia. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and then went on to earn her medical degree from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Following residency, she was in private practice Obstetrics and Gynecology in Fort Worth, Texas at Vivi Women’s Health. While in private practice, she went on to complete an MBA at the University of Texas at Austin.
Read the full interview below:
What sparked your interest in women’s health?
My interest in women’s health was sparked during medical school. Supporting women through their highest highs such as the birth of their child and also through their lowest lows such as domestic violence or a cancer diagnosis was a tremendous privilege and my motivation for going into women’s healthcare.
What is the biggest challenge that you see in your industry?
A shift towards OBGYN being dominated by female physicians and thus the pendulum swinging towards a more collaborative relationship between the patient and the physician. Also, the increased awareness of women’s health issues and many loud voices in the field which will ultimately drive increased research and awareness.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue a similar career path?
It is a hard road and you will want to quit many times along the way but it is worth it if it is your passion. Many people will try and talk you out of OBGYN because of the hard schedule and some of the disparities in comparison to male dominated specialties but the specialty needs advocates so don’t be discouraged.
What do you think the role of technology is in the future of OB/GYN care?
I think technology is going to play a huge role in the future of OBGYN care because this country is facing a looming OBGYN shortage and digital health companies stand to be the bridge between patients and OBGYN physicians. The new tools and wearables will assist patients in knowing when to seek care from an OBGYN specialist because for many patients, this is going to become increasingly difficult.
What key trends do you see in your industry in the next five years?
I think there will be an increased trend in utilization of telemedicine for women’s health issues. It had been thought that OBGYN was a field that would be difficult to lend itself to telemedicine but there are many issues that can at least have initial evaluation via telemedicine. In addition, I think that many of these companies will or have developed diagnostic tools that will help identify women at high risk for certain diseases so that they can be better equipped to speak with an in person OBGYN physician for diagnosis.
Why did you decide to join Lasa Health?
Margaret is fantastic and such an advocate for women with endometriosis and hearing her story and why she founded Lasa, I couldn’t help but want to join. She is the voice for so many women with a similar road to diagnosis and she used her own struggle to improve the experience of other women.
Who are three inspirational women in your industry that you admire?
Lisa Hollier, MD
Natalie Crawford, MD
Lyndsey Harper, MD
