Taking a Comprehensive Approach to General Ob/Gyn Care

arlier this year, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology welcomed Cassandra Blot Simmons, MD as the new Chief of General Obstetrics & Gynecology (Ob/Gyn). A distinguished clinician, educator, and administrator, Dr. Simmons has worked in medical settings across the United States, giving her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges of women’s health care. The Department is thrilled to have Dr. Simmons join the faculty to lead our General Ob/Gyn practices in Midtown Manhattan, Washington Heights, and Rockland and Westchester Counties.

Born into a family of nurses, Dr. Simmons identified an interest in medicine at a young age. During childhood, Dr. Simmons became increasingly involved in international medical work, particularly in Haiti, a country where her family has roots. This early exposure to medical work proved formative for Dr. Simmons, helping her to define a career path in the medical field.

While assisting in the medical response after Hurricane Andrew in Florida, Dr. Simmons developed a specific interest in identifying and addressing determinants of health. Understanding how factors both inside and outside of the hospital setting impact health outcomes is key to high-quality Ob/Gyn care. “To expand on women’s health care overall is to focus not only on what happens inside the hospital, but also being cognizant of the total experience of the patient. We can use what we know to influence the community in a positive way,” says Dr. Simmons.

Before her role as Chief of General Ob/Gyn at CUIMC, Dr. Simmons practiced as an Ob/Gyn in many states across the country, including California, Georgia, New Jersey and the New York Metropolitan Area. This diverse breadth of professional experience has given Dr. Simmons an idea for what Ob/Gyn care could and should look like, which she is eager to share with fellow clinicians and medical students. “I am able to draw on my vast experiences as a clinical leader to improve the overall quality of care that is being delivered to people on a broader scale,” says Dr. Simmons.

Dr. Simmons’ nuanced understanding of the diverse factors that impact women’s health underlies her vision for the General Ob/Gyn Department. As Division Chief, Dr. Simmons is focused on a multidimensional approach to identifying and addressing the historical and current determinants of health which shape women’s health outcomes. In practice, day-to-day, this work requires an attention to the details of care provision and the patient experience, both in and out of the clinical spaces, which Dr. Simmons brings to the forefront in her leadership role. “There are nuances of care that are not always front of mind, but should be for every clinician and administrator,” says Dr. Simmons.

Under the leadership of Dr. Simmons, the future of General Ob/Gyn care at Columbia is inclusive, comprehensive, and far-reaching. “I’m excited to be a part of an institution that is willing to address the determinants of health for all women,” says Dr. Simmons. “As Ob/Gyns, we are in a privileged position to support women and their families to optimize their health and well-being in myriad ways, and we don’t take that for granted.”