Having access to care and choices can be a challenge for women’s health in rural regions. Not on the Iron Range. At Fairview Range, exceptional obstetrics and gynecology care is close to home. It’s also expanding with the hiring of Dr. John Smith. He joins the Fairview Mesaba Clinics OB-GYN team of Dr. Lane Meyer, Certified Nurse Practitioner Amy Tuthill, and Certified Nurse Midwife Robin Etter in providing our region with comprehensive obstetric, gynecological, and prenatal care.
From general health, to labor and delivery, to menopause — our experienced team provides compassionate and respectful care for women, specializing in the following areas:
- Gynecologic surgery
- Minimally invasive gynecologic and laparoscopic/hysteroscopic surgeries
- Incontinence surgery
- Pelvic and vaginal reconstructive surgery
- Laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies
- High-risk pregnancies
- Treatment for endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic pain, prolapse, incontinence, dysplasia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and basic infertility
Welcoming Dr. John Smith
We’re pleased to welcome Dr. John Smith to our medical staff. Dr. Smith is a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) physician and comes to us with over 20 years of OB-GYN experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and completed his medical degree at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, Texas. He also served in the Air Force as a physician on active duty for nine years.
Dr. Smith grew up in Texas, but is familiar with the Iron Range as he grew up coming to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as he earned his Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys all of the winter and summer outdoor activities that Minnesota has to offer and is excited to share his love for the outdoors with his wife, three sons, and three dogs.
He is currently seeing patients at Fairview Mesaba Clinic in Hibbing and Mt. Iron. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith, please call 218-362-6937.
Holistic Care with Midwife Robin Etter
When it comes to midwives and labor and delivery, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Robin Etter, explains, “Our approach is more about letting birth happen naturally and letting mom be in control.”
OB-GYN physicians are experts in labor and delivery and are also highly skilled in surgery and c-sections should the need arise. CNM’s are also very knowledgeable of women’s health and labor, but do not have surgical capabilities. They are a great option for any woman and provide a holistic approach with an emphasis on education. Women may start with a midwife and then need an OB-GYN physician if the pregnancy becomes high risk. In these situations, the physician and midwife will consult and collaborate to provide the experience the mom-to-be is looking for. Both options put the health of mom and baby first.
Women who are not sure whether an OB-GYN physician or a midwife is right for them can meet with both to discuss their plans and choose whenever they are ready.
“They can switch at any time. They can start with me, but switch to an OB-GYN physician if it turns out their pregnancy is more high risk. I can also see people who have a scheduled c-section and will work alongside the OB-GYN when it comes to delivery. Care is a collaboration,” states Etter.
“I just love the whole role of being able to care for and educate and prepare them for the birth of their baby,” adds Etter. “I really enjoy the educational part of it; women are informed and able to make choices, empowering them to have a bigger role.”
Patients can see Etter in our Hibbing or Mt. Iron clinic locations.
Women’s Health Experts Close to Home
Rounding out the Fairview OB-GYN team is Dr. Lane Meyer and Certified Nurse Practitioner Amy Tuthill. Both work together to help women with everything from primary care to labor and delivery.
“I am, in very basic terms, an extension of Dr. Meyer and the care he provides to his OB patients. I also care for patients independently providing services such as lactation care, family planning, gynecologic concerns, and well woman exams,” explains Tuthill.
While each care team member brings their unique experience, they also come together to create a caring, professional experience.
“Each member of the team brings a different aspect of care to the patient experience. Each patient/family has different needs, both medical and psychosocial,” adds Tuthill. “We really try to focus on the needs of the individual family to make sure that they are well connected with services, education, and resources that will allow them to have the best possible experience.”
Find Your Perfect Labor and Delivery Partner on the Iron Range
When it comes to labor and delivery on the Iron Range, Robin Etter sums it up best. “Right now, it’s an ideal situation for a rural hospital. We have two quality OB-GYN physicians, a very qualified women’s health nurse practitioner, and we have the unique option of a certified nurse midwife. We have great options for women; it allows them to get the care that they need and they have these choices and it’s accessible.”
To schedule an appointment or learn more about our team, call 218-362-6937.