148: Fibroid Facts with Veronica Gillispie-Bell, MD.

In the Ladies' Room with Dr. Donnica

Most women have heard of fibroids—and most women will have them—so let’s talk about Fibroid Facts! Fibroids are the most common type of non-cancerous tumors in women. But just because they aren’t cancer doesn’t mean they are “benign”: they can be asymptomatic, but more often, they can cause a wide range of physical symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding and an overall reduced quality of life.

Uterine fibroids occur in more than 80% of African American women and nearly 70% of Caucasian women by the time they are 50 years old. Fibroids are also the leading reason for hysterectomies performed in the U.S.

My guest today, Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell knows a lot about fibroids, both personally & professionally. She is a practicing, Board-certified ob-gyn and section head of women’s services at Ochsner Kenner in New Orleans. She is the Medical Director of programs with the LA Department of Health as well as an associate professor and director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Uterine Fibroids.

She earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College and completed her residency training at Ochsner Health System. She also earned a Master of Applied Science in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Additionally, she has received certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.