Busy, Experienced UH OB-GYN Can’t Imagine Any Other Specialty

UH Clinical Update | April 2023

Natalina Andreani, MD, wasn’t sure what her specialty would be when she went to medical school at the University of Toledo, though she leaned toward psychiatry. Then came her rotations through different specialties as a medical student and she found her calling: obstetrics and gynecology.

Natalina Andreani, MD

“It felt like home,” she says. “I didn’t feel that from any other discipline.”

The adrenaline of labor and delivery was one draw. “But also, there was the benefit that it had a little of everything – some primary care, continuity of taking care of women during different stages of life, and the surgical and procedure aspect,” she says. “I just couldn’t get enough of the OB/GYN rotation. I’d stay past my shift, especially if something exciting was going on.”

In fact, she chose to do an elective acting internship in OB in her 4th year of medical school: “I wanted to get even more experience and exposure.”

Now, in her 24th year of her OB-GYN practice in Chardon, she still feels that same excitement, and it shows. She is the OB physician with the most deliveries at UH Geauga Medical Center, having delivered 288 babies in 2022 – nearly one-third of the 984 total. She is also one of the top physicians mentioned in UH Geauga patient experience surveys.

Meritorious work: Last month, Dr. Andreani was selected for a recent “Dinner with the Doc” award, in recognition of demonstrating a commitment to value, and to systemness. It is Marlea Miano, MD, Chief Medical Officer of UH Geauga Medical Center, who nominated her. She noted her exemplary efforts in partnering with the office of independent physicians to advocate for simple, patient-centric workflows for independent physician offices. She also was lauded for collaborating with the system OB quality network to ensure that UH Geauga OB is meeting or exceeding all quality metrics.

Dr. Andreani is Associate Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of OB-GYN at UH Geauga Medical Center, and her very busy OB practice is just across the street from the hospital. As it is in Geauga County, about one-quarter of her patients are Amish, who traditionally have large families. Now, she is delivering babies for mothers who were babies she delivered herself, some years ago.

She wants all her patients to feel that they have a cohesive team caring for them from their first appointment in the office through their delivery and postpartum care on Labor and Delivery. This patient centric care has created loyalty – women will stay as her patients through their lives. For obstetrics, some patients who once lived in Northeast Ohio come from as far away as Chicago, St. John in the Virgin Islands, and France, to have their babies delivered by her.

“I feel everything I felt when I discovered OB-GYN turned out to be true, and there is no aspect of it that I dislike,” she says. “And I quickly discovered I enjoy office gynecology far more than I even thought I would.”

Establishing connections: That’s because of the relationships she establishes with her patients. “It’s what I thrive on,” she says. “My only exposure to gynecology prior to private practice was as a patient and as an OB-GYN resident.  But it was difficult to establish continuity and relationships in residency clinics.

“It is very different in practice where I routinely see patients for many years and get to know them well.”

As a young gynecologist starting out, her practice began with a large volume of young healthy women, and it quickly grew. Through the years, “I’d see these young women as they graduated from high school, then college, begin their careers, establish relationships, get married – and then I’d deliver their babies and see them as their children grew. I was there during difficult times and through happy times.  It has truly been a privilege.”

Power of teamwork: As an OB, Dr. Andreani has a heavy practice load. She estimates that she has delivered more than 6,000 babies and taken care of countless women since graduating from residency.

She’s quick to explain that she can do all this because of her staff, most of whom have been with her practice for many years.

“I feel I’ve surrounded myself with exceptional women who are very bright, caring and conscientious,” she says. “I can’t take sole credit for my success – in large part the team I am surrounded by contributes to our high quality and patient satisfaction that are essential for a successful practice.  These women are attentive, empathetic and kind to our patients and patients will mention them by name with gratitude.

“I trust my team of nurses, anesthesia, and staff at UH Geauga too – their ability, attentiveness and the care they provide is incredible. I admit my patients to the UH Geauga’s Women’s Health Center with great confidence that they will receive excellent care and have a positive experience. I feel fortunate to have such great teams working with me at both my office and the hospital.

“All these people are the reason I’ve stayed where I am.”

To nominate a physician for this honor, please visit the UH Digital Workplace. The next deadline is June 26.