There are about 300 million people in the United States, and sadly, in the latest statistics I’ve reviewed it shows that nearly one out of every three people, about 80 million, have been diagnosed with some type of cardiovascular disease. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) reveal that for individuals 20 years and older, 45.9% of African American women and 32.5% of Mexican American women have heart disease. What do these alarming numbers mean for us as women of color? Simply put, it means that we need to make some changes in our lives if we care about living longer and healthier lives. And, I absolutely believe that .......

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Cover Story
Jenny Lipana
Laying Down the Law

Has your family been affected by any health disparities?

Yes, my father had a kidney transplant and there’s family history of Type 2 diabetes

Do you have any advice for others affected by illness?

Always keep a positive outlook. Take a proactive approach by exploring lifestyle changes. Medication is more reactive, after the health problems exist, and should be the last option.

Tell me about your family.

I’m the only lawyer in my family. Everyone else, siblings, parents and even extended family members, are doctors.

Who has been the most influential to you?

I am influenced by my peers, colleagues, actually too many people to be specific. Most often I’m especially motivated by other successful women.

What’s your personal definition of a “girlfriend”?

I think a girlfriend is a person that I can rely on for anything-whether it’s emotional or professional support.

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Atlanta's Cover Story
Dr. Lynette Stewart

Lynette Stewart, MD, FACOG is the Owner and CEO of Georgia Center for Female Health.  She has been a physician for 24 years and a Board-Certified OB/GYN practitioner for nearly 20 years. Dr. Stewart graduated summa cum laude (highest honors) from Tuskegee University. She earned her Medical Degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Stewart completed her Residency at Catholic Medical Centers, a major teaching hospital of Cornell University in New York City.

Before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in 1995, Dr. Stewart served as Chief of the OB/GYN Department
of the hospital where she practiced in Tennessee. Dr. Stewart has served in several administrative capacities including Head of the Gwinnett County Rape Crisis Center. She was elected to the highest
medical board in the state, the Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, an organization
that oversees and administers medical licenses for the State of Georgia.

Dr. Stewart is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Stewart has conducted research in obstetrics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Dr. Stewart has a special interest in aesthetics and skin care, and developed a skin care line presented at Eos The Medical Spa.

Dr. Stewart is married to otolaryngologist Dr. Fermin Stewart. They have three children, Samantha, Alejandro, and Silva. Dr. Stewart enjoys ballet, modern dance, and Caribbean dance.  Though she is Board Certified and a Diplomat of the American Board of Ob/Gyn and a Fellow of the American College of Ob/Gyn since 1989 she has been certified to use lasers. Dr. Stewart also has a special holistic interest in the health of women not only during the childbearing years but, well into the menopausal stage.

As owner of the Georgia Center for Female Health, where they have also added an additional unique
service through Eos The Medical Spa, they begun to use the application of Lasers in her practice.
Dr. Stewart uses lasers all over the body for treatment of intra-abdominal as well as skin disorders.

While lasers have been in use for some time, ethnic skin tones have caused some challenges leading
some practicing physicians to be apprehensive in treating ethnic skin. Therefore, Dr. Stewart became motivated to become an expert in the treatment of ethnic skin with laser. Many women live with unattractive mustaches and beards, not knowing what to do they resort to other means such as electrolysis, waxing, plucking, or shaving for hair removal. With laser hair removal most women can achieve excellent results and permanent hair reduction. At the Center laser hair removal is done quite successfully and effectively resulting in 95% hair reduction (nothing is 100%).

Most patients later add removal of hair from the armpits, the bikini line, and legs. GCFH also uses lasers to treat fine lines and wrinkles. One of the newer applications is for skin tightening. The uniqueness of this process is that the laser is actually stimulating the person to make their own collagen, a protein in the skin responsible for firmness and tightness. The effect is very natural looking skin that does not wear off like Botox. With the use of lasers, beautiful tight skin is within
everyone’s reach. Lasers are also used to treat acne scarring.

Dr. Stewart has even developed a skin product line to help augment the aging process through the use of a specialized skin cream (developed initially by her aunt a pharmacist) that when accompanied by the laser treatment achieves great results. The cream, which is called “The Miracle Cream” exclusive through Eos The Medical Spa, is the cornerstone of the line and is formulated specifically for ethnic skin. The goal of The Georgia Center for Female Health is to ensure that patients are not only healthy during pre and post pregnancy but alsolong beyond their
childbearing years.