"In 1982, I was a third-year medical student at U.C. San Diego, about to start my Obstetrics rotation at Balboa Naval Hospital, which was known to have a very busy obstetrics service. I had heard that the hours were long and tiring and the work was hard and stressful. That all turned out be true, but it didn’t matter, because I got to deliver babies! I feel the same way today.
Words cannot convey the rewarding feelings of satisfaction and joy that I experienced as I took care of my patients and helped them give birth. That experience sealed my decision to make Ob/Gyn my career. Now, 38 years and more than 7,000 deliveries later, I can confirm that the work is still hard and stressful, the hours are still long and tiring, and I still love delivering babies.
I have grown and changed quite a bit over these past 38 years. I have better judgment, better skills, and much experience. However, I also acknowledge that I am no longer a young man, and it has come time to shift my career in a different direction. After a great deal of thought and soul-searching, I have decided that starting October 1, 2021, I will stop delivering babies and my practice will focus exclusively on gynecology care.
Please note that starting March 1, 2021, I will no longer accept new OB patients or perform “Ob Consults” and I will not be able to deliver any patient with a due date past mid-September 2021.
While I will miss delivering babies, I am also excited for the future. One of the most rewarding aspects of my practice has been taking care of gynecology patients for many years – for some, decades! I treasure these relationships and I plan on continuing to take care of my patients’ gynecological needs for many years to come. I also look forward to advancing my gyn education and am eager to pursue additional skills and knowledge regarding gyn surgery, menopause, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, pre-conception and fertility issues, contraception, and other women’s health concerns.
Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to take care of them while pregnant and to help deliver their precious baby (or babies!). Being an obstetrician has brought me tremendous joy and satisfaction and has been so very rewarding. I cherish the many memories and experiences I have had and the patients I have helped."
Warmly,
Bryan S. Jick, MD