A New Partnership Provides the Best in OB/GYN Care

SoutheastHEALTH's providers of obstetrics and gynecology, from left: (front row) nurse practitioners Glenda Robison, Marianne Cook and Christy Cook; (second row) Drs. Wendelly Vasquez, Eric Morton, Dianne Woolard, Chris Rosenquist, Jennifer Lovegreen and Heather Cugini.

Women First, a skilled and trusted obstetrics and gynecology practice, has partnered with Southeast Medical Group of SoutheastHEALTH to better serve patients.

Joining the Southeast Medical Group from Women First are Chris Rosenquist, MD; Eric Morton, DO; Heather Cugini, MD; and Marianne Cook, APRN, BC-FNP. Women First of SoutheastHEALTH will remain in its current location at 1111 North Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

The new affiliation brings the number of experienced and dedicated obstetrics/gynecology specialists in the Southeast Medical Group to six. Southeast Obstetrics & Gynecology was established in 2011 with Dianne Woolard, MD, FACOG; Christy Cook, WHNP; and Glenda Robison, WHNP. That practice has grown to include two additional obstetricians and gynecologists, Wendelly Vasquez, MD, and Jennifer Lovegreen, MD.

Excellent Care

Dr. Rosenquist says, "Partnering with SoutheastHEALTH will provide Women First the ability to continue to provide the excellent care our patients are accustomed to receiving and provide SoutheastHEALTH the opportunity to nurture a well-established, trusted practice in a way that is beneficial to the women of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois."

SoutheastHEALTH Vice President of Physician Services Matt Shoemaker, DO, adds, "This is an exciting time for SoutheastHEALTH as we continue to expand and enhance services across our region. The addition of this well-respected specialty practice is in keeping with our commitment to provide our patients the best in women's healthcare services."

Drs. Rosenquist, Morton, Cugini combined have nearly four decades of experience in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Marianne Cook, the nurse practitioner, has approximately 14 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology, including working as a registered nurse in Labor and Delivery at Southeast Hospital.

Dr. Rosenquist has 16 years of experience in obstetrics/gynecology in Cape Girardeau. Prior to that, from 1989 to 1994, he practiced family medicine, which included obstetrics.

'Miracle of Childbirth'

"I like the obstetrical side of my specialty because it allows me to develop close relationships with my OB patients. It's sort of like being a family doctor again," he says. "It's an awesome privilege to share in the miracle of childbirth. I enjoy delivering babies."

Dr. Rosenquist says the gynecological aspect of his practice allows him to establish long-term relationships with patients and practice preventative medicine, as well as treat diseases. "Gynecological surgery is both challenging and satisfying," he explains. He adds that he has a strong desire to help people. "That's why I went into medicine," he says.

Care for Women of All Ages

Dr. Cugini has been an OB/GYN for four years. She says she enjoys providing medical care for women of all ages. "I get to treat older women, young women and those of childbearing age. It is a perfect profession."

She adds that she treats women with a variety of OB/GYN health issues. "Every time I open the exam room door, it is something different. Each pregnancy is different. Each delivery is different."

Dr. Cugini smilingly says she has no trouble recommending a pediatrician to new parents. Her husband Greg Cugini, MD, is a pediatrician with Southeast Pediatrics.

She notes that the new partnership with SoutheastHEALTH allows Women First to continue to provide quality care while providing greater accessibility for patients.

Dr. Morton didn't start out in medicine. He worked as a tree trimmer before embarking on a medical career.

'Nothing More Rewarding'

While a medical student at the Kirksville (Mo.) College of Osteopathic Medicine, he did an internship in Cape Girardeau. Under supervision of an experienced physician, he delivered his first baby at Southeast Hospital in 1993 as a medical student. "At that point, I knew I was hooked," Dr. Morton recalls.

Dr. Morton says he enjoys primary care as well as the surgical and obstetric aspects of his profession. "There is nothing more rewarding than to see the first time that a patient hears the baby's heartbeat," he notes. "Every birth is a miracle," he says.

Marianne Cook says she enjoys providing OB/GYN care to women of all ages. As a nurse practitioner, she doesn't deliver babies, but she checks on and treats patients in the office.

Many women see their nurse practitioner more often than they do their doctor. "I have a wonderful relationship with them," she says.