We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

My experience was no different. As I stood stoically at my white coat ceremony, a celebratory moment when you receive your first white coat as a physician, I let the gravity of those three words seep into me. During the five years it took me to complete my medical degree and obtain my Master’s in Public Health, I always felt so appreciative that I was entrusted with the care of others. Whether it was waking up early after a late night of studying, missing family events, or skipping a meal to get somewhere on time, I knew my duty was to prioritize my patients.

My steadfast dedication to patients and prioritization of their needs over my own persisted through residency and into private practice. This was all well and good until the pandemic hit. In the early stages of pregnancy, I found myself having to make decisions not just for my patients, but also for myself and my unborn baby. As my belly grew, I grappled with the decision to continue seeing patients despite the looming threat with unknown risks to my unborn baby.

After a particularly stressful day, I had an epiphany. I had been dedicated to the care of others for so many years, while simultaneously neglecting my own. No one was going to care about my health more than me. I needed to practice real self-care. For me, that meant reevaluating my work and how I contribute to the field of women’s health.

Dr. Stephanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a board-certified OB/GYN, speaker, wife, and mom of three with a deep passion for women’s health. My journey into this field began during my childhood when I observed significant gaps in women’s health education and services. These early experiences fueled my desire to educate and care for others, leading me to a career as an OB/GYN and eventually to founding the Lady Parts Doctor women’s health platform.

A cornerstone of my platform is my podcast, where I engage in educational, inspirational, and most importantly, healing conversations with women about their health concerns. As a firm believer in the importance of nurturing mental, spiritual, and physical health, I have created numerous resources, including menopause workshops and healing meditations for women who have experienced womb trauma. Additionally, I offer motivational speaking, often with a focus on women’s health.

What sets me apart is my decades of experience in women’s health and my commitment to rewriting the narrative to empower women. Many women feel disempowered by our current healthcare system and seek evidence-based, non-judgmental information from a trusted source. They desire a safe space to ask questions and have vulnerable conversations, which I provide through my platform—a service I am incredibly proud of.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that my worth is tied to my accomplishments. After years of studying and training to become a physician, it felt natural to associate my value with what I had achieved. However, when I decided to leave my clinical career for entrepreneurship, I had to shift my mindset. I redefined who I am by using myself as a reference, rather than what I’ve accomplished.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe authenticity is the hidden secret to success. There are so many people offering similar services and information. However, my ability to articulate information from both a personal and professional level in an empathetic, understanding, and validating way sets me apart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ladypartsdoctor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ladypartsdoctor

Image Credits

Lakesha Miner of Lakesha Miner Photography. https://www.lakeshaminer.com/