We sat down with Daisy Davis, RNC-OB, WHNP-BC, women’s health nurse practitioner at Obstetrix Medical Group of Atlanta Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Prior to joining the practice in 2013, Daisy worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and high-risk obstetrics for eight years. She has a passion for perinatology and working with high-risk pregnancy patients and feels honored to work in the field.
Watch the video for the full interview or check out the highlights below!
How did you get into health care? Were you inspired by a woman to pursue a career in medicine?
Absolutely—I was inspired by my mom. My mom worked as a registered nurse for over 40 years, and her mother was a licensed practical nurse (LPN) until she passed away, unfortunately, from breast cancer at the age of 50. I was highly influenced by those women.
What do you think it means to be a woman in health care today?
As a woman in health care today, I can tell the female patients really appreciate the fact that they can relate to me. I feel honored in that regard in terms of having that empathy that I think we should all have for our patients, as well as just being able to attempt to put myself in the patients’ shoes and to be an influence in that way, which sometimes can help improve compliance on the patient’s end, therefore improving outcomes.
What are the challenges for women in health care?
I’ll piggyback on what I said before. For me personally, it can be emotionally taxing because it’s so important for me to put myself in every single patient’s shoes regardless of their race, education, socioeconomic status—it doesn’t matter. So, in some situations, it can just be emotionally taxing because you want to help someone.
What are some of the positives of being a woman in medicine?
It’s being able to relate to your patients. It makes me comfortable having any conversation I need to have with that particular patient. It makes them extremely comfortable, which I think is so important.
What advice do you have for other women who are pursuing a career in medicine or entering into the field for the first time?
Well, first I would say it’s extremely important for you to lead by example. If you’re expecting patients to take your recommendations, to take you seriously as a provider, as a woman, you have to again lead by example. Also, I think it’s very important to give the same level of care to all patients—regardless of their race, their influence, etc., to give the same level of care.
How can women clinicians best support fellow women clinicians?
We can support one another by creating a roundtable discussion to discuss some of the challenges we face, some clinical pearls that may help your fellow clinician out and just have a team approach. Support each other in that way by picking up where the other left off and step in and anticipate one another’s needs.
Is there anything else you would like to add or touch on?
I do want to make a statement about the recent social unrest that we’ve had since summer 2020. I think America is realizing that it’s important to focus on all citizens and not just select groups. And I want to specifically make a statement toward the high mortality rate for African American women in childbirth. I think as women clinicians, that should be all of our focus to help actually decrease the mortality rate.
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