Obstetrics

What is your care philosophy?

Great healthcare is a joint venture between the patient and the doctor, built on a foundation of mutual respect and dialog. I meet so many patients who think that doctors will be dictatorial, but we really listen to patients and respect their wants and needs – I enjoy talking with patients and establishing that foundation with them.
What inspired you to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology?

When I started med school, I originally thought I wanted to be a heart surgeon, but I was still open to other specialties and knew that I really enjoyed being in the operating room. I eventually decided on OBGYN because I realized that I could stay in touch with my patients across many of life’s milestones. I’ve known many of my patients for over 30 years, and they are like family to me.
What improvements to women’s care have you seen since you began practicing medicine?

There have been so many great changes: fetal monitoring and sonogram are more sophisticated, equipment and technology for minimally invasive surgeries are much better, testing for abnormal pap smears and HPV is dramatically better. The vaccine for HPV is amazing.
Are you from the DC area?

We moved around the U.S. some while I was a kid, but I mostly I grew up in Pittsburgh. When I came to the DC area for school, I just fell in love with it here. I enjoy the DC weather, and despite growing up near the Steelers, I’ve enjoyed adopting the Redskins as my football team. I like to root for the underdog!
What is your best advice for new parents?

Give your kids unconditional love even after they turn left when you wanted them to turn right. Being a parent is one of the best things in the world, and being a father may be the best thing. I’m incredibly blessed to have a wonderful wife and beautiful, talented twin daughters. I love being a doctor and a father.
What are your best tips for staying healthy?

Stay away from sugar and stay active. Our girls are grown now, and looking back, I think it was very important that we encouraged them to play sports. It reinforced our values and beliefs in staying fit and healthy.
What distinguishes your practice from others?

Having both newer and more experienced doctors in our practice is really valuable. It facilitates the combination of new ideas with decades of experience, and our patients receive better care because of it. During my residency, I rotated through Holy Cross Hospital and met the founders of this practice. I joined them because I was impressed by the intellectual integrity and also because we have all of the facilities (in our office) to test and gather information quickly. This has continued to be true across the years, and I’m proud to work with the doctors in our practice.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d be…?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a professional football player, but being a doctor is the perfect profession for me. I find it incredibly rewarding, and I go home at the end of the day feeling really good about the work I’ve done and the patients I’ve helped.

I’m Dr. Diane Snyder, Board Certified OBGYN with a Focused Practice in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

During medical school, I was debating between pediatrics and OBGYN and for a variety of reasons chose OBGYN. During my residency training, I was introduced to the sub-specialty of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) by one of my attending physicians and knew it was an area I wanted to pursue. During my last year of residency, I did an elective rotation at Boston Children’s Hospital which really introduced me to the field. I ended up not doing a fellowship and started to slowly incorporate younger patients into my practice.

Once I stopped practicing Obstetrics in 2002, I was able to focus more on this age group. I started giving lectures to pediatric groups as well as in middle and high schools.

Joining the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) has been most helpful with monthly journals, international listserve, and annual National conferences. This is a group of many specialties that focuses on delivering medical care to pediatric and adolescent females.

PAG covers many medical and gynecologic conditions and some diagnoses that can be devastating to a young patient (Premature ovarian insufficiency or Mullerian anomalies) and I find it extremely gratifying to be a part of the care journey for these patients.

Helping young women manage their contraceptive choices, feel positive about their sexuality, and improve their menstrual disorders are but a few of the things I love about pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

Dr. Sammons has provided exceptional care to women and families in the St. Charles County area since 2010. With a passion for supporting women as they navigate the balance between motherhood and professional life, she finds deep satisfaction in guiding patients through every stage of their reproductive health journey. She cherishes the long-term relationships she builds with patients, knowing that the OBGYN field allows her to be part of their lives through both the joyful and challenging moments.

A proud member of the Lake Saint Louis community, Dr. Sammons lives with her husband, son, and daughter. Outside of her practice, she enjoys hiking in local parks, knitting, playing the piano, and spending time with their family dogs Luna and Nala.

Dr. Covlin has over 25 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology and has been with Heartland Women’s Healthcare since 2009. When working with patients, he is a strong listener and finds joy in his work helping his patients to overcome their medical concerns focusing on preventative care.

Dr. Covlin is a native of North Dakota and enjoys visiting the area to hunt. He loves mountain biking, grilling, and prefers sunsets over sunrises. His hidden talent is ballroom dancing, which he taught while in college. He considers being a dad the most daring thing he’s ever done. When not at work, you can find him with his two kids playing catch or lounging in a hammock.

Dr. Kressel is a board-certified OBGYN who loves learning her patients' stories, counseling them to help them understand any aspect of women’s health, and fine-tuning the patient experience to bring healthcare to the next level.

She earned her medical degree at the University of Virginia and completed her residency at Parkland Hospital. Dr. Kressel is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), demonstrating her expertise in menopause and midlife women’s health.

She offers a wide range of services, including gynecological exams, problem visits, birth control consultation and management, and mid-life care. Dr. Kressel is also skilled in performing surgical procedures, such as hysterectomies, laparoscopies, and tubal ligations.

Fun facts about Dr. Kressel: She was briefly in the “two under two” club with two boys, born in 2018 and 2020. She felt so passionate about the Liv opportunity that she flew to DC for the day and interviewed for her position when she was almost 36 weeks pregnant (and went on to deliver in the 37th week)!

Dr. Zarina Hussain, MD is a top-rated, board-certified gynecologist with more than 17 years of experience in diagnosing and treating women of all ages. At Advantia’s new, state-of-the-art facilities, Dr. Hussain provides comprehensive, leading-edge gynecological care for women from pre-conception nutritional counseling to managing menopause symptoms and performing hysterectomies.

Praised by patients for her empathy, knowledge and willingness to listen, Dr. Hussain has extensive expertise in all aspects of women’s healthcare. The vast number of services she provides include: well-woman exams, adolescent gynecology exams, birth control consultation and services – including IUD placement and removal — postpartum care, cancer screening, treatment of endometriosis, STD testing and treatment, and osteoporosis screening and treatment. She is also skilled and immensely respected in providing several minimally-invasive procedures, which can conveniently be performed at Advantia’s onsite surgical center. These procedures include: colposcopy, laparoscopic surgery, and hysteroscopy.

Dr. Hussain earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed her residency at the prestigious Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University and University Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. She served as Chief Resident during her final year.

Additionally, Dr. Hussain is a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Alec Sunyecz is originally from Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He earned an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and went on to receive his medical degree from West Virginia University. He completed his OB/GYN residency training at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he developed a strong interest in robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Dr. Sunyecz enjoys all aspects of women’s health, from contraceptive counseling to high-risk pregnancies. He has a particular passion for conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and infertility. He is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care that empowers women through every stage of life.

Dr. Levav is Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology. After completing her education at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Levav pursued her residency in OBGYN at the Medical Center of Delaware. Notably, she was recognized as the best Resident Instructor during her time there. Dr. Levav’s contributions to the medical field are evident through her published research in the American Journal of Gerontology and the American Journal of Perinatology – where she has showcased her expertise, presenting research on the management of cervical dysplasia and abnormal Paps.

Prior to joining Women’s Health Specialists in Maryland, Dr. Levav practiced in New York for 6 years. Her diverse background, which includes counseling and mentoring teenagers, has fostered a special interest in addressing the unique health concerns of young women. Furthermore, her extensive experience as a health and fitness instructor, coupled with her research in diabetes and nutrition, significantly informs her compassionate approach to caring for women’s health issues. She has a particular focus on contraception, abnormal Paps, abnormal bleeding, and menopausal issues.

With her wealth of experience and warm demeanor, Dr. Levav is truly an invaluable asset to Women’s Health Specialists. She consistently upholds a genuine commitment to providing expert care that precisely meets the individual needs of her patients.