The friendly and courteous providers and staff at Bayside Health Association understand that different people look for different things in their healthcare providers. Our diverse staff of allied health professionals and physicians have various levels of experience, training and special interests. A provider to suit each individual's needs.
Bayside Health Association has a variety of medical professionals available to assist you in meeting your healthcare needs including, physicians, both MD's and DO's, Certified Nurse Midwives and a Nurse Practitioner.
What is the difference between a MD and a DO?
- Both MD’s and DO’s to medical colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with emphasis in scientific courses.
- Both MD’s and DO’s complete four years of basic medical education
After medical school, both can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training) - Both DO’s and MD’s must pass comparable state licensing examinations
Both DO’s and MD’s practice in a variety of healthcare settings
Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians - DO’s also practice a “whole person” approach to medicine and focus on preventive health care
- DO’s have extensive training in the musculoskeletal system
The bottom line is that both types of physicians are equally trained to care for the patient
What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified Nurse Midwives must graduate from an accredited education program and pass a rigorous certification exam. Certified Nurse Midwives are medical professionals licensed by the state in which they practice. They are held to the rigorous standards of practice set by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). In addition, they attend continuing education programs offered by accredited agencies in order to maintain their licensure and certification.
Bayside Health's Certified Nurse Midwives (link to Carrie, Sally and Ann Marie under providers) are skilled professionals who provide primary health care to women including evaluation, assessment, treatment and referral to a specialist if required. They emphasize health promotion, education and disease prevention and have authority to prescribe medications. In addition, they can perform:
- Normal gynecological services
- Health and wellness counseling
- Pre-conception counseling
- Contraceptive Care
- STD Screening and follow-up
- Care during pregnancy and labor and delivery
- Evaluation and treatment of common infections
- Care before and after menopause
- Screening and referral for other health problems
For more information on Certified Nurse Midwives, please contact our office or you may visit the American College of Nurse Midwifery online at www.acnm.org.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with additional specialized education. This includes advanced nursing and selected medical studies as well as intensive clinical experience specific to the nurse practitioner's area of practice. Nurse practitioners are licensed as RN's and Advanced Practice Nurses(APN) in the state in which he or she practices. In addition, nurse practitioners may be nationally certified and have authority to prescribe medications. Bayside Health's Nurse Practitioner provides the following services:
- Normal gynecological services
- Health and wellness counseling
- Pre-conception counseling
- Contraceptive Care
- STD Screening and follow-up
- Care during pregnancy
- Evaluation and treatment of common infections
- Care before and after menopause
- Screening and referral for other health problems