Sarah Hoops knew her OB/GYN physician was a good fit after the first appointment. 

Just a few decades ago, little was known about breast cancer. It was a rarely talked about disease. Today, breast cancer is in the news almost daily, and much of what we read and hear involves breakthroughs in early detection, new drug therapies and the latest treatment techniques.

Ellen Bartyzal and her husband, Tony, celebrated their twins’ first birthday in August, after planning the event with an extra sense of gratitude for their now family of five. “I have three very healthy babies, when—just a few years ago—I thought I might have none,” Ellen said.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Currently, 79 million Americans are infected. Studies using blood tests have concluded that more than 80 percent of adults have been infected at some point in their lives—most unknowingly.* 

If you experience leakage every time you cough, laugh, sneeze or jump, you aren't alone. Urinary incontinence is common and more frequently affects women than men. The chance of experiencing urinary incontinence increases as women age, but it is never “normal” and can be treated. 

Ridgeview has a long-standing reputation throughout the west metro and beyond as the place to have a baby. And for families with medical emergencies, it truly becomes the right place at the right time for special deliveries.

Osteoporosis is something all women should prepare for no matter their age. After age 30, women begin to gradually lose the inner portion of their bones due to sensitivity to hormones, including estrogen, and the amount of calcium in their bones decreases. Osteoporosis weakens bones, leading to the likelihood of fractures, particularly in the hip, wrist and vertebrae.

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer, you're probably filled with questions and concerns about available treatment options, cost of treatment and fears about the future. The cancer care team from Minnesota Oncology & Ridgeview Cancer & Infusion Center has created the following information to provide guidance and answer questions to help you choose the best way forward.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a women's health physician assistant at Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview Clinics, part of my job is to help my patients determine what approach to breast cancer screening is right for them.

As an obstetrician gynecologist, I see women of all ages who are at risk for gynecologic cancers. I would like to give an overview of  gynecologic cancers affecting women, and how best to avoid them or detect them when they occur.