“I‘ve Made It My Mission In Life To Help Poor Women Have Happy & Healthy Pregnancies” With Dr. Lisa Masterson
“As an OB/GYN and a mother, I am very aware of the risks a woman undertakes when she is pregnant. I have made it a mission in my life to help women have happy and healthy pregnancies.”
I had the pleasure to interview Dr. Lisa Masterson. Dr. Masterson is a specialist in obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, adolescent gynecology and family planning. She was the former co-host of the Emmy-winning hit syndicated daytime medical talk show, The Doctors. Now, she has expanded her practice to an incredible medical spa at the Ocean Oasis Day Spa in Santa Monica, CA,. She also started her own lifestyle podcast “Heath in Heels with Dr. Lisa” that is available on iTunes!
Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your “backstory”?
I specialize in obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, adolescent gynecology and family planning. My unique practice includes a myriad of services not found in today’s traditional gynecological medicine. As a firm believer in total wellness, I merged gynecology with esthetic services at my medical spa at the Ocean Oasis Day Spa. There we offer customized spa treatments as well as exercise and nutrition programs that cater specifically to each phase of a woman’s life. Globally, I provide medical relief to underdeveloped regions. I created Maternal Fetal Care International (www.mfci.net), a charitable organization dedicated to making every mother and child count around the globe. MFCI brings volunteer physicians to treat needy women and children and provides medical supplies, equipment and training to elevate the standard of medical care and decrease the mother-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. In addition to establishing birthing centers in Kenya and India, I co-founded in Eritrea the first OG/GYN residency program in all of sub-Saharan Africa. And developed Mobile Mom Squad with my organization Pregnancy Health Aide, which is designed to help homeless women, women in crisis, and underprivileged women pre and postnatal. My focus is bringing supplies, education, and support to areas in need.
I also hold seminars on adolescent sexuality for teens and parents and have written Go Figure, a workbook for young girls detailing the changes throughout their bodies.
Can you tell me about the most interesting projects you are working on now?
Currently, I am working to raise awareness for my new medical service Mobile Mom Squad, which is a Pregnancy Health Aide-sponsored vehicle that offers a broad range of on-site pre and postnatal healthcare services to underprivileged and homeless women. My goal is to help educate people so they know where they can donate as well as encourage people to join and help out this amazing cause! According to the World Health Organization, “about 830 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications around the world every day.” In the USA every year, 1200 women suffer “complications during pregnancy or childbirth that prove fatal and 60,000 suffer complications that are near-fatal.” If more women were to have access to adequate health care — most of these maternal deaths could be prevented, which is what we are trying to help change.
So how exactly does your organization help people?
Through the Mobile Mom Squad, I deliver desperately needed supplies to facilities in Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. And soon, I will be visiting Round Valley Indian Health Center, in Covelo CA! We hope to build a team that can provide supplies and education to underprivileged women nationwide.
Also recently, the Mobile Mom Squad delivered 10,000 boxes of Mteryti® 5 prenatal multivitamins, generously donated by Duchesnay USA, to several Elizabeth House locations in Southern California (as it is recommend that all women of childbearing age consume 0.4 mg of folic acid daily to help prevent major birth defects.)
Our goal is to find qualified medical experts who would like to donate their time and join the team along with other pharmaceutical companies as well as pregnancy and parenting brands that wish to donate valuable goods to needy mothers throughout our country.
Can you tell me a story about a person that you helped?
We have patients who can’t afford prenatal vitamins, formula or are not able to get to prenatal appointments and are so grateful for the services that we provide to be able to have healthy babies, healthy families and be healthy themselves.
This obviously is not easy work. What drives you?
As an OB/GYN and a mother, I am very aware of the risks a woman undertakes when she is pregnant. I have made it a mission in my life to help women have happy and healthy pregnancies.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
They can make prenatal care more accessible and affordable,and reach out to the underserved communities.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get youto where you are?
Yes, my mother for my education and inspiration and my family who are very supportive .
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)
- Don’t be afraid to try to help others. 100% of the time, when you are helping others, you are helping yourself. I believe in Karma and what goes around comes around, but also, the simple pleasure you receive from knowing you are helping others has beneficial manifestations in your wellbeing. So, help others and enjoy it. It’s good for you!
- You can’t do it alone. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my strong support system. My family and friends have been there every step of the way and I make a point to do business with people I respect and admire. By surrounding yourself with smart, collaborative, helpful people you are guaranteed to work smarter rather than harder.
- Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. What I said about helping others works in reverse too. Allow yourself to accept assistance. You are not only benefiting from the help, but you are creating bonds that can strengthen and grow.
- Try to get companies and sponsors. There are plenty of companies with consciences and by strategically aligning themselves with charitable or uplifting causes, they become part of the cultural experience rather than just an add or marketing plan. Companies know this and are receptive to the right proposals. Get your ducks in a row and create collateral that clearly explains your mission and reach out. But don’t stop there. Keep asking and talking to people until you get the answer you want and need. If you believe in your mission, especially if it’s to do good, you’ll find people and brands that will see your vision.
- Have a short and long term plan or goals. Planning is everything. It helps keep you on track but it also will set other at ease. When you are confident and prepared, you are a better leader. When you lead better, you don’t waste time and you accomplish more. It’s that easy.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see just see this. 🙂
I have a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for Bill and Melinda gates and Michelle and Barack Obama. I would love to get an opportunity to meet but also thank them for their significant contributions to society.