Every Month, Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare features one of our team members on our blog. This month we feature SCWH Physician, Dr. Elizabeth Killebrew!
Dr. Elizabeth Killebrew is the President and Senior Partner of Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare and has been practicing in the Southern Crescent with our practice since 1987. She attended the six year BA/MD program at the University of MO in Kansas City. She completed her residency at the Medical College of WI in Milwaukee. During her residency she participated in two months of specialized surgical training in Australia.
Dr. Killebrew spent 25 years delivering babies and today she focuses on Gynecologic problems and surgery. One of her surgical interests is robotic surgery in the areas of both pelvic organ prolapse and uterine fibroids. She consults with women on the menopause life transition and became a Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) as well as receiving training and certification as a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). Menopause encompasses many changing body systems including our bones, urinary and sexual functioning as well as our emotional state of mind. Helping women to achieve balance at this season of life she finds to be a challenge. In contrast to menopausal care, she sees many young women up until the time they decide to have children. She enjoys guiding their healthcare concerns.
During her career at SCWH, there have been so many special moments with patients. OB/GYN has allowed her to deliver the babies of daughters’ of women she delivered early in her practice. She recalls a snowy Christmas morning when she was on-call and feeling sad that she might miss the surprise on her children’s faces when they saw the gifts Santa Claus brought them because one of her patients, pregnant with twins, presented in Labor at 4 am. The joy and wonder of the season was illustrated when she arrived at the hospital, certain she wouldn’t leave in time, and her patient easily delivered twins without any complications and she was home before either child woke up. God answered her prayers that Christmas morning and the prayers of the twin’s family for a safe delivery into this world.
Her faith in God and the importance of intercessory prayer was solidified at SCWH while working with a young woman who wanted to get pregnant. She had severe endometriosis and had a large persistent endometrial cyst requiring surgery. The day her surgery was to be performed her pregnancy test required before surgery was returned positive! She delivered a healthy baby 9 months later.
Dr. Killebrew and her husband Andy have lived in Fayette County for the past 30 years. Her patients have naturally become friends.
Her husband of 33 years is her strongest supporter and best friend. They have been blessed with amazing children. Being a mother and grandmother has been her greatest joy! When she is not working, Dr. Killebrew and her husband love to travel and hike. Their next big hike is to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon, helping to complete their goal of visiting all the National Parks. Their next travel spot is Vietnam and she has been planning the photographs she will take to illustrate her trip. One of her creative outlets is making photo books on Shutterfly to remember their travels.
You may be surprised to learn that Dr. Killebrew has summited Mount Kilimanjaro (the rooftop of Africa), seen Mt. Everest from a plane in Nepal and has been to Papua New Guinea. She has also skydived, parasailed, and taken a hot air balloon ride!
We cannot close without saying a few more words about Dr. Killebrew. She speaks so highly of her patients. She is in awe of the strength of a woman-from the ability to carry a pregnancy, bear the loss of a child, suffer abuse, or recover from breast cancer. She believes women are tough, determined, and truly the heartbeat of the family.
The TED talk and book “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek has resonated deeply with her. Dr. Killebrew knows that her “Why?” is to serve. To care for her patients whether in the office or in the operating room, and knowing that she makes a difference inspires her to keep going each day.
Dr. Killebrew has several favorite quotes, but this one is our favorite.
“A woman is like a tea bag; you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
