Allison Delawder, PA, is a champion for women’s health
Women’s health isn’t always straightforward. When someone has irregular periods or pelvic pain, it can take time to get to the bottom of the problem and discover the best way to treat it.
“It can be a process. But it’s always worth it when patients thank me for listening to their concerns and making them feel heard,” says Allison Delawder, PA, a physician assistant specializing in women’s health at Sentara Obstetrics, Gynecology & Midwifery Specialists in Harrisonburg.
“My role isn’t to tell you what to do. It’s to listen to you and educate you about your health so we can make informed decisions together,” Delawder says.
Women’s health research and practice
Delawder grew up in Rockingham County and went to Shenandoah University, earning her undergraduate degree in public health. During that time, she became more interested in women’s health. “I learned the history of how women were excluded from medical research and realized there aren’t enough people in women’s corners,” she said. She decided to become one of them.
As an undergrad, she did research on women’s health, focusing on women who were historically underserved by the medical community. While still working on her public health degree, she accompanied students in Shenandoah’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program on a medical mission trip to Ghana, in West Africa. “Seeing firsthand the role that PAs played in caring for patients cemented my interest in becoming one myself,” she says. As soon as she graduated, she enrolled in the PA Program at Shenandoah to get her master’s.
What does a PA do?
Despite the name, physician assistants don’t just assist doctors. They are licensed providers who practice patient-centered medicine in a wide variety of settings, including primary care, emergency medicine and many more. Delawder specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, providing a full range of women’s health services, including:
- Gynecological exams and screenings
- Perimenopause care
- Prescribing medications, such as birth control or hormone replacement therapy
- Prenatal and postpartum care
- Procedures, such as biopsies and IUD placement
- Sexual and reproductive health education and counseling
PAs are trained to provide a wide range of services in the OB-GYN clinic. While PAs don’t independently perform surgery, they do assist in surgery and can help patients connect to surgical care as needed, Delawder says.
Compassionate OB-GYN care
Delawder treats women of all ages, from their first period through adulthood, including pregnancy, perimenopause and beyond. She’s particularly interested in caring for adolescents and young adults.
“Younger patients are often anxious about establishing care and having their first gynecological exam. I talk them through it: showing them the instruments we use, explaining what I’ll do and why and making sure they’re comfortable at every step,” she says. “I want my patients to know that they are in control of the visit. If at any point they feel uncomfortable, we can stop.”
She also enjoys teaching patients about birth control and helping them understand their options. “There are a lot of myths and misinformation online about birth control and women’s health. I’m here to help you understand the facts so you can choose the care that’s right for you,” she adds.
Background
Delawder received a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Shenandoah University. She joined the Sentara team in part because of its commitment to giving back to the local community, she says.
She lives in Penn Laird with her husband and young son. They enjoy spending time with their extended family, who lives nearby. She also loves reading, going to the pool with her son and taking beach vacations to South Carolina.
Allison Delawder, PA, sees patients at Sentara Obstetrics, Gynecology & Midwifery Specialists in Harrisonburg. To schedule an appointment, call 540-534-6335.