Park Nicollet opens Women's Center with preventive, specialty and integrative care in one location

Park Nicollet Women’s Center offers preventive and specialty care and also holistic care such as acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy.

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. – Park Nicollet this week celebrates the opening of its new Women’s Center, the only facility in Minnesota, and one of only a few in the nation, to offer preventive, specialty and integrative care for women in one location. The center, located on the Methodist Hospital campus in St. Louis Park, provides 15 preventive and specialty care services that women use most including ob-gyn, urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, mental health, nutrition, physical therapy, mammograms and ultrasound.

Build by women, for women
The Center’s design is based on extensive input from focus groups with women and best practices from two of the nation’s leading health centers for women at the Cleveland Clinic and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Fla. A team of local women led the design and construction of the facility, including Kathryn Babich, M.D., medical director of Women’s Services at Park Nicollet; Andrea Winter, senior director of Women's Services at Park Nicollet; Julie Crawford, a project manager with Mortenson Construction, who is also a Park Nicollet patient and Christine Hester Devens, interior project designer for AECOM.

“Because women’s lives are so busy, they often put others’ needs before their own,” said Dr. Babich. “Offering multiple services in a single location makes it easier for them to get the care they need.”

Preventive and specialty services in a healing environment
The Women’s Center offers services from 30 clinicians who have specific training and experience in women’s health. To make care more convenient for busy schedules, women can get multiple preventive services in a 90 minute “all-in-one” appointment. In addition, classes and appointments are offered Monday through Friday until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. – noon.

Attention to detail and spa-like amenities include integrative care to enhance well–being and reduce stress such as aromatherapy, acupuncture and massage, complimentary coffee, tea and water, comfortable, well–fitting robes and gowns and private bathrooms in rooms designated for urogynecology. A healing environment includes windows that offer lots of natural light, views of Minnehaha Creek and visual art by 20 Minnesota artists who created works on the topic of women’s health.

On–site health care navigator‘
The Women’ Center created a new position for a health care navigator who is a specially trained registered nurse and a health coach. The health care navigator provides a single point of contact to help patients easily access the care they need across the system.

Community connections
The Women’s Center will also be a link to the community. A community room is available for use by patient groups and community groups. Health and well–being classes, seminars and workshops are open to the public on topics including mental health, nutrition, and weight management. Group visits are available for pre–natal, menopause and other topics of concern to women. In addition, funding from Park Nicollet Foundation’s Innovation and Transformation Fund provides support for community outreach services, education, support groups and culturally relevant care.

Public invited to grand opening May 17
The Women’s Center grand opening is on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take a tour, listen to live music, enjoy free refreshments from Common Roots Café, get a freee chair massage and more.