A Message to Our Patients and Community
At Summit Women’s and Wellness Medical Group, we understand that pregnancy and reproductive care can be deeply emotional, complex, and at times heartbreaking. We approach every patient with professionalism, compassion, and evidence-based care.
We are committed to transparency regarding our credentials, hospital affiliations, and scope of practice. Any information about our services or affiliations is accurately reflected in our official materials and on our website.
Outpatient obstetric and gynecologic care is only one part of a larger healthcare system. When hospital-level care or subspecialty services are required, patients are managed collaboratively across appropriate facilities and providers.Like all medical practices, we strive to maintain a respectful and therapeutic physician–patient relationship. When that relationship is no longer appropriate, we may recommend transition of care, just as patients are always free to seek care elsewhere.
We are grateful to the many patients who have trusted us over the years and shared their positive experiences. We remain dedicated to providing attentive, ethical, and high-quality care to the women and families we serve.
What Compassionate Care Means in Practice
We recognize that obstetric and gynecologic care often intersects with some of the most vulnerable, emotional, and life-altering moments in a person’s life. Pregnancy, fertility journeys, gynecologic diagnoses, and reproductive health decisions can bring joy, uncertainty, grief, and fear—sometimes all at once.
Compassionate care means more than clinical expertise alone. It requires emotional intelligence, careful listening, and the ability to respond thoughtfully to each patient’s unique medical and personal circumstances. We strive to meet patients where they are, acknowledging not only physical symptoms but also emotional and psychological stressors that may accompany care.
Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed care principles. This means we aim to foster a clinical environment that prioritizes safety, respect, transparency, and patient dignity. We recognize that past medical experiences, personal loss, or systemic barriers can shape how patients engage with healthcare, and we work to provide care that is respectful, supportive, and collaborative.
At the same time, compassionate care also includes sound clinical judgment. Medicine requires balancing empathy with evidence-based decision-making to ensure that care remains safe, appropriate, and medically responsible. We believe patients deserve both kindness and clarity, and we strive to offer care that reflects both.
Transparency and Scope of Care
Transparency is an essential part of trust in healthcare. We are committed to being clear about our credentials, scope of practice, and the type of care we provide.
Our practice focuses on outpatient OB/GYN care, which includes routine obstetric and gynecologic services provided in an office-based setting. Outpatient care plays a critical role in women’s health, but it is only one part of a broader healthcare system.
Certain medical conditions, complications, or high-acuity situations require hospital-based services or the involvement of medical and surgical subspecialists. Hospitals and subspecialty providers exist to deliver advanced diagnostics, monitoring, and interventions that cannot be safely provided in an outpatient setting.
When hospital-level care or specialized expertise is needed, patients are managed through collaborative medical care, involving appropriate facilities and providers. Referrals and care coordination are not barriers—they are safeguards designed to ensure patients receive the right level of care at the right time.
Our goal is always to be clear about how care is delivered, why referrals may be recommended, and how different parts of the healthcare system work together in the best interest of patient safety.
How Care Transitions Work
A therapeutic physician–patient relationship is built on mutual trust, respect, and alignment around care goals. In most cases, these relationships are longstanding and deeply valued. However, transitions of care are a normal and ethically recognized part of medical practice.
Patients may choose to change providers for many reasons, including personal preferences, logistical needs, or changes in medical complexity. Likewise, physicians may sometimes recommend a transition of care when a therapeutic relationship is no longer appropriate or when another provider or setting is better suited to meet a patient’s needs.
These transitions are not punitive. They are not judgments. They are part of responsible, ethical medical practice and occur across all medical specialties. Recommending a transition can be an important step in ensuring that care remains safe, respectful, and aligned with professional standards.
Patients always retain autonomy in their healthcare decisions, including the freedom to seek care elsewhere. Our role as physicians is to act in a way that prioritizes patient well-being, clinical appropriateness, and professional integrity—even when that includes difficult conversations.
Commitment to Professionalism and Ethics
We are committed to practicing medicine guided by evidence-based standards, ethical principles, and respectful communication. This includes staying current with medical guidelines, exercising appropriate clinical judgment, and maintaining professional boundaries that protect both patients and providers.
Ethical care requires honesty, transparency, and accountability. It also requires clear communication—especially when medical recommendations are complex or emotionally challenging. We strive to explain care options thoughtfully and to support informed decision-making grounded in patient autonomy.
Respectful communication is foundational to effective care. We aim to foster an environment where patients feel heard and treated with dignity, while also maintaining the professional standards necessary to provide safe and appropriate medical care.
Our commitment to professionalism is not situational—it is central to how we practice medicine every day.
Gratitude and Ongoing Commitment
We are deeply grateful to the many patients who have placed their trust in our practice over the years. It is a privilege to care for individuals and families through routine visits, major milestones, and challenging moments alike.
We remain committed to growth, learning, and continuous improvement. Medicine is an evolving field, and we believe high-quality care requires ongoing reflection, education, and openness to improvement.
Above all, we remain dedicated to providing attentive, ethical, and high-quality care in an environment grounded in mutual respect. We welcome patients who engage thoughtfully in their care and value a collaborative, respectful physician–patient relationship.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your healthcare journey.
FAQs
Common Questions about Care
What is outpatient OB/GYN care?
Outpatient OB/GYN care refers to medical services provided in an office or clinic setting rather than in a hospital. This includes preventive care, routine gynecologic exams, prenatal care, postpartum follow-up, counseling, and ongoing management of many common obstetric and gynecologic conditions.
Outpatient care allows for continuity, individualized attention, and ongoing physician–patient relationships. However, it does not include inpatient hospitalization, emergency care, or procedures that require hospital admission. When care needs exceed what can be safely provided in an outpatient setting, coordination with hospital-based services is essential to ensure patient safety.
How do referrals work?
Referrals are an important part of high-quality, responsible medical care. When a patient requires hospital-based services, advanced diagnostics, or evaluation by a medical or surgical subspecialist, referrals are made to appropriate providers or facilities.
These referrals are guided by clinical need and are intended to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate level of care. Collaborative medical care allows outpatient physicians, hospital teams, and specialists to work together, each within their area of expertise, to support the patient’s overall health and safety.
Can patients choose another provider?
Yes. Patients always have the right to choose their healthcare provider and may seek care elsewhere at any time. Transitions between providers are a normal part of medical practice and occur for many reasons, including changes in medical needs, personal preferences, insurance coverage, or care location. In some circumstances, a physician may also recommend a transition of care when another provider or setting is better suited to meet a patient’s clinical needs. These recommendations are made thoughtfully and ethically, with patient safety, respect, and continuity of care as priorities.
Why might care be provided across different settings?
Healthcare often involves multiple settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and subspecialty practices. Each setting is designed to address different levels of medical complexity and acuity.
Providing care across appropriate settings helps ensure that patients receive timely, comprehensive, and safe treatment. Outpatient care focuses on continuity and prevention, while hospital-based care provides access to advanced monitoring, procedures, and multidisciplinary teams when needed.
How does your practice approach communication and decision-making?
We believe effective healthcare is built on clear, respectful communication and informed decision-making. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and participate actively in their care. Medical recommendations are based on clinical evaluation, evidence-based guidelines, and professional judgment, with patient autonomy and individual circumstances always taken into account.
Shawanda Renee Obey, MD MPH
President & CEO,
Summit Women’s and Wellness Medical Group, Inc.
New Patient Information
What Patients Can Expect When Establishing Care
Welcome
We are honored that you are considering Summit Women’s & Wellness Medical Group for your obstetric and gynecologic care. Establishing care with a new physician is an important decision, and we believe patients deserve clear information about how care is delivered, what to expect, and how to engage in a productive, respectful physician–patient relationship. Our practice is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, outpatient OB/GYN care in a professional and supportive environment.
Our Approach to Care
We provide outpatient obstetric and gynecologic care, including preventive services, routine prenatal care, gynecologic evaluations, and follow-up visits. Our approach is grounded in:
- Evidence-based medical standards
- Thoughtful clinical judgment
- Clear and respectful communication
- Patient autonomy and informed decision-making
We recognize that medical care is both clinical and personal. Our goal is to partner with patients to support their health while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries that allow for safe, ethical care.
Appointments and Communication
To ensure high-quality care, we strive to maintain an organized, focused clinical environment. Patients can expect:
- Appointments dedicated to medical evaluation and counseling
- Clear explanations of findings, recommendations, and next steps
- Opportunities to ask questions and participate actively in care decisions
We ask patients to communicate concerns respectfully and to understand that medical recommendations are based on clinical judgment, safety considerations, and established standards of care.
Referrals and Collaborative Care
Outpatient care is one part of a larger healthcare system. Some conditions or complications require hospital-based services or the involvement of medical or surgical subspecialists.
When appropriate, referrals are made to ensure patients receive comprehensive care in the safest and most appropriate setting. Collaborative medical care is an essential part of responsible practice and is always guided by clinical need.
Transitions of Care
Healthcare relationships work best when there is mutual trust, respect, and alignment regarding care goals. Patients are always free to seek care elsewhere, and transitions between providers are a normal part of medical practice.
In some circumstances, a physician may also recommend a transition of care when it is in the patient’s best interest or when another provider or setting is better suited to meet clinical needs. These transitions are handled professionally and ethically, with patient safety as the priority.
Insurance and Medical Group Affiliation
We accept most major commercial insurance plans, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Health Net PPO, Medi-Cal, and IEHP Direct.
Our practice is not affiliated with any medical groups. Coverage and eligibility can vary based on individual plans and services, so patients are encouraged to contact our office directly with any insurance-related questions prior to establishing care.
Our staff is available to help provide general information and assist patients in understanding how their coverage may apply to outpatient obstetric and gynecologic services.
A Respectful Partnership
We are committed to fostering a clinical environment built on mutual respect, professionalism, and trust. Patients who thrive in our practice value:
- Clear communication
- Evidence-based recommendations
- Collaborative decision-making
- Respectful interactions with staff and providers
This shared commitment allows us to provide attentive, high-quality care to all patients we serve.
Getting Started
To request an appointment or learn more about our services, please visit our Services page or contact our office directly. We look forward to supporting you in your healthcare journey.
Dr. Shawanda R. Obey, MD, MPH Board-Certified OB/GYN
Founder, Summit Women’s & Wellness Medical Group