American Heart Month: Easy Chicken Orzo Recipe
February 26, 2025
American Heart Month: A Healthy, Easy Recipe Welcome to American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart health...
At Advantia Health, we understand the importance of providing comprehensive care for women, offering a range of services in gynecology to address their unique healthcare needs. Our team of experienced gynecologists, working in collaboration with other specialists, is dedicated to providing personalized and evidence-based care to women at every stage of life. From routine screenings to specialized treatments, our commitment is to ensure that women receive the highest standard of care in a compassionate and supportive environment.
Physician Manager
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Lake St Louis| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Wentzville
Learn MorePhysician Manager
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
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.
Physician Manager
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Marion| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Centralia
Dr. Wikoff has over 26 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Providing personal and compassionate care for women of all ages is a point of professional pride.
Her interests include jigsaw puzzles, yard work and gardening, and helping her grown kids “launch” into the world.
Ob-Gyn
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare, Carbondale
Dr. Bishop is a native of Southern Illinois with over 30 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He is certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Bishop lives in Carbondale with his wife and together they’ve raised 6 children.
Ob-Gyn
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Carbondale
Dr. Gates received his medical training and OB-Gyn residency at Loma University School of Medicine and Medical Center in Southern California. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Gates is passionate about making every birth experience joyful and memorable. If you are the father, don’t be surprised if he puts gloves on you and puts you to work helping deliver! He has been helping families grow in Southern Illinois since 1995.
During his off hours, Dr. Gates may be found spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. His hobbies include planting trees and maintaining his yard, learning other languages and travel.
Ob-Gyn
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare, Carbondale| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Marion
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
Dr. Boyd has over 16 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is a Southern Illinois native originally from McLeansboro, Illinois, and a graduate of McLeansboro Township High School.
Dr. Boyd is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), demonstrating her ability to provide optimal menopause-related healthcare in addition to her expertise in other areas of obstetrics and gynecology.
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Mt. Vernon
Dr. Olufeyisayo (Sayo) Taiwo, MD is an obstetrician-gynecologist who joined Heartland Women's Healthcare in 2020 and practices at the Mount Vernon, IL, location. Her services include pregnancy care, high-risk pregnancy care, infertility evaluation, testing, and treatment, genetic testing, gynecology, birth control, long-term birth control such as IUDs, contraception counseling, STD/STI testing and treatment, adolescent gynecology, pediatric gynecology, minimally invasive gynecological surgery (MIGS) and menopause care.
Ob-Gyn
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Harrisburg| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Wentzville
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Mt. Vernon
Dr. Rubenacker has over 10 years of experience and is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology. A Southern Illinois native, Dr. Rubenacker is deeply passionate about serving the community that raised her.
Ob-Gyn
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Waterloo
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
What led you to join this profession?
The versatility within the specialty. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a doctor and always thought I would go into pediatrics. However as I progressed during my education, I began to fall in love with surgery. During my OB/GYN rotation in medical school, I quickly realized that this specialty not only had a surgical aspect but still allowed me to practice foundational/preventable medicine that I had been drawn to in pediatrics.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
As an OB/GYN I love being able to make life-long relationships with patients and have the ability to support them through multiple stages of their life. We have the privilege to provide care for women for not only their reproductive health but also their general well-being and that is an honor to me.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My husband, Brad, and I just moved here from Kalamazoo, Michigan with our dogs (Louie and Clark). I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago. I completed my undergrad at SLU and am excited to be back in the area. We are outdoor enthusiasts; hiking, biking, camping, and kayaking. I also enjoy reading, photography, running with Clark, and am an avid sports fan.
Ob-Gyn
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare, Carbondale| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Marion
Learn MoreMidwifery
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Mt. Vernon
Donna is a native of Southern Illinois and worked as a Labor & Delivery Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital for over 14 years. She obtained her specialty nursing certification in inpatient obstetrical nursing from the National Certification Corporation.
Donna grew up in Washington County and was one of 7 girls in her family. When not at work, Donna loves to run and cycle. If she could eat one food for the rest of her life, it would be eggs. She owns several chickens and has become very creative with egg recipes.
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Marion| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Mt. Vernon| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Carbondale
Learn MoreMidwifery
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Lake St Louis| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Wentzville
Learn MoreMidwifery
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Sparta
Learn MoreMidwifery
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare, Carbondale| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Marion
Learn MoreMidwifery
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Mt. Vernon
Susan has over 30 years of experience in the Women’s Healthcare field including direct patient care and the clinical management of Ob-Gyn patients.
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
Anja Schifano, CNP, WHNP, PMH-C is a women’s health nurse practitioner at the Shiloh, IL, location. Her services include pregnancy care, infertility evaluation, testing, and treatment, gynecology, birth control, long-term birth control such as IUDs, contraception counseling, STD/STI testing and treatment, adolescent gynecology, pediatric gynecology, menopause care, pelvic floor therapy, lactation consulting, and perinatal mental health support. Anja has a certification in Perinatal Mental Health.
In her free time, Anja enjoys cooking new recipes and considers that her hidden talent.
Nurse Practitioner
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
Ashley’s background is in Labor & Delivery at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis. She is a Southern Illinois native, originally from Freeburg. She currently lives in Edwardsville with her husband and their two children.
In her free time, Ashley loves to travel with her family, remodel homes, and dance.
Nurse Practitioner
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
Bailey Notzke is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). She has been a nurse since 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Capella University. She has experience as a nurse in the following areas: medical/surgical, high-risk Labor and Delivery/Antepartum, and Transport Nurse.
She has worked in Women’s Health since 2015. This experience helped her to realize her passion for Women’s Health. She went back to school and earned her Master’s degree from University of Cincinnati, specializing in Women’s Health. As a board-certified WHNP, Bailey enjoys helping women achieve lifelong health. She believes in patient centered care and keeping her patients educated in the process.
When she’s not at work, Bailey loves to read, travel, and go to the movies. She also loves to spend time with her husband and her dog, an adorable Australian labradoodle named Sophie.
Nurse Practitioner
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Women's Urgent Care of Advantia
Women's Urgent Care, Shiloh| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Shiloh
Jasmine received a Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has more than 10 years of nursing experience and a background in gynecologic/obstetric triage, Labor and delivery, and cardiovascular care. She has a strong passion for patient education and health literacy.
She currently lives in Edwardsville and enjoys the arts and outdoors, as well as being a houseplant hobbyist.
Nurse Practitioner
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Harrisburg| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Carbondale
Learn MoreNurse Practitioner
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Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Waterloo
Marla was born and raised in Southern Illinois and has been practicing as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner since 2007. Additionally, her background includes over 21 years of labor and delivery nursing. Marla enjoys helping women in all stages of their life through preventative health care.
She lives in Waterloo with her two daughters. In her free time, she loves to travel with her friends and family. If she could eat one food for the rest of her life, it would be chicken wings!
Nurse Practitioner
English
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia
Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Centralia| Heartland Women's Healthcare of Advantia, Mt. Vernon
Learn MoreAn OB-GYN (obstetrician gynecologist) is a doctor whose specialized training provides them with expertise in women’s health, including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive systems and more. In the United States, they are required to complete a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school and a residency focused on obstetrics and gynecology, and pass a board certification exam administered by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Choosing the right specialist depends on whether you need general reproductive care, services related to pregnancy, or both throughout your lifetime.
OB-GYNs deliver babies and perform surgeries and procedures such as Cesarean sections, hysterectomy, and pelvic laparoscopy. Some OB-GYNs also serve as primary care providers for women. An advantage to seeing an OB-GYN is that they can follow you throughout your life for both gynecological and pregnancy-related needs.
If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, an OB-GYN is essential for prenatal care, monitoring your ongoing pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Most women choose to stick with one OB-GYN if they are able so that the same doctor can be there for every step of the pregnancy. Similarly, an OB/GYN can follow you beyond postpartum care, allowing you to continue healthcare services with a provider familiar with your medical history.
You can consult an OB-GYN at any time for any health care services for which you would also seek a gynecologist, such as routine exams, surgeries, contraception consultation, menstrual health, reproductive issues. Routine exams can start as early as 14-16 years old but generally do not include a pelvic exam. Routine gynecologic exams can be performed by primary care physicians such as internal medicine or family medicine doctors and are recommended by age 21.
If you are not regularly seeing an OB-GYN for your routine care, it would be appropriate to see one specifically for these services:
For routine gynecological care, you should see your OB-GYN each year for an annual well-woman visit. For gynecological issues and concerns that arise that are not medical emergencies, you can schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN at any time.
If your OB-GYN is not available for immediate women’s health needs, such as severe pelvic pain, urinary tract infection, menstrual irregularities or sexually transmitted infection, you can visit a women’s health-focused urgent care clinic.
If you are pregnant, your OB-GYN will let you know how often you need to be seen for prenatal care. Visit frequency will vary depending upon your age, how far along you are in pregnancy, risk factors and other conditions that could impact your pregnancy. Following your OB-GYN’s recommendations for visits will help you ensure the health and wellness of you and your baby.
For medical emergencies, even those of an obstetric or gynecological nature, such as severe pregnancy complications, please visit an emergency room.
If you are starting to think about getting pregnant, it’s a perfect time to meet with your OB-GYN for a complete physical, a review of the medications you are taking, a discussion about personal and family medical history, and to get some pointers on tracking your ovulation cycles. Working (always) to arrive at or maintain a healthy weight, changing behaviors that could harm a baby (like smoking or drinking alcohol) and starting a daily prenatal vitamin should also be on the short-list.
If you don’t conceive after some time (again, usually one year), your provider will be able to help investigate. and help in every way possible so try not to become stressed if your friends become pregnant before you. With just a bit of forethought in a healthy partnership, an understanding of your menstrual cycle and some faith in your body, it’s very likely that you will have a healthy baby in a time frame that somehow turns out to be just the perfect time to meet your baby.
Most OB-GYNs are generalists, which means that they provide a wide range of services related to obstetrics and gynecology. An increasing number of OB-GYNs have pursued additional training and an education in a subspeciality within the field.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recognizes seven OB-GYN subspecialties. You may be referred to an OB-GYN within one of these subspecialties for more specialized treatments and care.
Maternal Fetal Medicine: OB-GYNs who care for women with high-risk pregnancies and related medical conditions, such as gestational diabetes, kidney disease, blood-clotting disorders, premature labor or high blood pressure, are maternal fetal medicine specialists.
Critical Care Medicine: Physicians who subspecialize in critical care medicine diagnose, treat and support critically injured and ill patients.
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reproductive Surgery: These providers focus on pelvic floor and urinary tract disorders experienced by women. As a result of pregnancy, age or certain medical conditions, the pelvic floor may become weakened. Physicians trained in this specialty help address issues such as urinary or fecal incontinence, bladder pain, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse and vaginal or urinary tract infections through medical and surgical treatments.
Gynecologic Oncology: These subspecialists are trained to diagnose and treat cancers of the female reproductive system, including those of the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vulva.
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: These OB-GYNs assist with issues related to infertility and the glands and hormones of the endocrine system. Women who are having trouble conceiving can work with a reproductive endocrinologist for procedures that include in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, and gamete or zygote intrafallopian transfer.
Complex Family Planning: Doctors within this subspecialty support women who have complex conditions. They ensure proper reproductive care for their patients by consulting with other health care providers.on the care team.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine: These OB-GYNs focus on caring for patients who have life-limiting illnesses. They work to minimize suffering and optimize the quality of life for their patients.
The experienced OB-GYNs at Advantia offer a comprehensive range of services, ensuring comfort and safety for both first-time moms and experienced mothers throughout pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care. Our providers provide resources and care tailored to your individual needs and concerns.
Advantia OB-GYNs are qualified to support your routine gynecological needs, urgent obstetric or gynecological illness or concerns and family planning aspirations. Contact us today for empathetic, quality care. We’d love to help you on your health journey whatever your needs may be.
Healthlink HMO/PPO
Anthem BCBS MO
Medicaid MO MO Healthnet
Aetna
HFN Medical (Zelis)
CCO Inc
Cigna
Hope Trust
Comp Results
United Healthcare
HSHS - Medical Associates Health Plans
Healthyblue
First Health
Humana Medicare Advantage
HFN (Zelis)
BCBS IL
Medica (WellFirst EHP)
Home State HealthPlan
Health Alliance
Medicaid IL (IDPA)
Laclade Gas
Healthlink
Medicare IL
Medica (Wellfirst)
Humana
Medicare IL Railroad
Medicare MO
Three Rivers
Meridian Medicaid (Youthcare, Ambetter, Wellcare)
Multiplan Inc / PHSC
Laclede Gas
Molina Medicaid
Phelps County Memrial Hosp
Aetna Better Health of IL
Multiplan / PHCS
SmartHealth
BCBS Community Plan of IL
TriCare West (Formerly Tricare East)
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
Beechstreet
United Healthcare (Commercial products)
United Healthcare Community Plan
Coventry National (Aetna)
Aetna Medicare Advantage
Wellcare by allwell Medicare Advantage (HMO only)
Essence (CNM care excluded)
Ambetter Home State Marketplace
Medicare MO Railroad
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