Maple Grove's latest health clinic opened its doors last month with a specific clientele in mind: women.
Clinic Sofia, founded by Dr. Donna Block, is a OB/GYN, PA medical practice staffed exclusively by women for women. The clinic's sole focus is to offer gynecologic, obstetrics, and fertility care to women in an environment that promotes patient education and understanding.
"We believe that the woman who walks through the door is the most important person. We'll do anything that needs to be done to give that woman the best experience," said Dr. Sujatha Roberts, who practices at the new Maple Grove clinic. "They are not a number on our schedule. They are real people."
27-year-old Ashley Straw of Princeton started coming to the new clinic in June because of Doctor Roberts. Straw, who is pregnant with her third child, has been seeing Roberts for more than five years. Straw is comforted by the fact that Roberts will be in the delivery room with her at the end of this pregnancy too.
"She delivered my first two children, and she is just wonderful, she's very knowledable," said Straw. "Just knowing that the person that I see in the whole 9 months that I trust, that knows me, knows my body is going to be there in the end is so reassuring emotionally and physically."
From the layout of the clinic, to the placement of ultrasound monitors in the room so women can see them during their appointment, every detail in this small independent private practice is designed to put women at ease. Roberts said it's all about creating a culture and philosophy that's puts a priority on listening and understanding each woman's individual needs.
"We all work toward the same mission, we believe in it, and we are passionate about it," said Roberts.
The first Clinic Sofia opened in 2004 in Edina. The Maple Grove clinic is its second location.
Alexandra Renslo reporting
arenslo@twelve.tv
July 9, 2012