Women in Primary Care at Mass General: Thirty-five Years Strong

One year ago this month, changes were happening quickly across Massachusetts General Hospital so caregivers could continue to provide the best care for the influx of patients arriving who were battling COVID-19. Many practices and care providers—including Women’s Health Associates at Mass General—needed to quickly adjust and adapt to the changing circumstances and did so in a seamless manner without disruption to patient care.

“This week was a momentous week because a year ago today we received word we’d have to be moving offices in order to make room for a Respiratory Illness Clinic in our location in two days,” says Karen Carlson, MD, founder and physician of Women’s Health Associates at Mass General, which this month is recognizing its 35^th anniversary. “It was both very fitting—and a needed boost for our staff—to have a bit of a low-key celebration to recognize our practice’s 35 years of caring for patients.”

Even more fitting is the celebration began on International Women’s Day (March 8) which had the theme this year of “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” The theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Women's Health Associates was founded in 1985 as one of the nation's first multidisciplinary women's health practices in an academic medical center. Throughout the past 35 years, the practice has grown to include 15 primary care physicians, three nurse practitioners, a clinical psychologist and additional support staff and residents—most of whom are female.

Though they may be in their seventh location in 35 years, Women’s Health Associates has never wavered—even throughout this pandemic—in their care and dedication to their thousands of patients. “We have always believed in having a welcoming, nurturing environment here,” Carlson says. “We are honored to have provided care to the community for the past 35 years, and to be a pillar of the community of women in medicine at Mass General. We look forward to many years more.”