Seeing each patient as a gift from God

The St. Gianna Clinic of Green Bay, Wis., takes seriously the unique and important mission entrusted to it. That mission is to spread “The Good News” through medicine and the quality care of patients, according to Dr. Robin Goldsmith. Dr. Goldsmith, one of the co-founders of the clinic, and the clinic’s anesthesiologist, explains how the clinic pursues two equally important dual missions: 

“First, we provide faithful care to anyone and everyone, the very rich, the very poor, the very young, the very old, just like the Catholic church cares for all,” said Dr. Goldsmith. “We also are called to share. Our practice is a really important reflection of the church. We share with [patients] why we believe what we believe, especially as it pertains to faith in medicine. It’s often about sharing that faithful medicine is about saying yes, a joyful, compassionate yes to God and his beautiful love and truth.”

Doctors, nurses, and medical professionals at the St. Gianna clinic assist their patients and one another in saying “yes” to God’s design each day. 
“It’s a way for us to educate everyone that medicine is more than black of white, it is art and science. In our world, faith is often believed to be separate from the practice of medicine, but we know the best medicine incorporates our Catholic faith.”

The St. Gianna Clinic was founded in 2015, formally decreed by Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay as the first Catholic teaching clinic in the country. Bishop Ricken is also the episcopal
advisor for the clinic. The clinic’s 6th anniversary was celebrated on June 29th and coincided with the feast of Saints Peter & Paul. Dr. Goldsmith believes this is more than coincidental. 

“We believe that’s providential because that feast is the heart and soul of the church, and that’s sort of what we feel the clinic is – the heart and soul – for those that we care for everyday in our practice.”

Serving as president and chief medical officer of the clinic, Dr. Goldsmith sees her work as a tremendous blessing. 

“We are blessed that we are able to live out this vocation of caring for people, often in their most difficult vulnerable times,” she said.

The 501(c)(3) non-profit, comprehensive primary care clinic proudly “take(s) care of anyone and everyone, from pregnancy to the end of life,” said Goldsmith. The clinic serves as a family practice and OBGYN practice. The clinic’s sub-specialty is in NaPro Technology, which Dr. Goldsmith points
out, is a term that most likely an overwhelming majority of Catholics may be unfamiliar with – but
that it’s really the “best kept secret.”

NaPro Technology stands for natural procreative technology. “It is a scientifically based, holistic approach to women’s health and infertility that is completely true to the faith and very effective,” explained Dr. Goldsmith. NaPro technology is aimed toward helping women who struggle with infertility, embodying all the basics of health, including good sleep schedules, eating habits, exercising, and doing what is good for your body, mind, and soul. It also, when needed, uses medical treatment and surgical techniques.

The efficacy of NaPro technology is up to 80% with patients struggling with infertility, “unmatched”
anywhere, according to Dr. Goldsmith, depending upon the cause of the infertility. 
“[NaPro Technology] is all about determining the root cause of the women’s health issue or infertility, and then treating it, instead of taking an approach where you may not get to the root of it,” Dr. Goldsmith explained. “As a result, we have healthy pregnancies, mothers, and babies, without the risks that other approaches have – such as birth defects, low gestational weight, etc., which are known risks with other approaches.”

Natural Family Planning (NFP) classes in the Creighton method, are also taught in person or
online by a certified RN in a group class or individual format, “to help people learn and live out NFP,” said Goldsmith.

The clinic also gives talks throughout the country to various groups. “Evangelization is a privilege,”
explained Dr. Goldsmith. “We go to confirmation groups, talk about human development, but in the
context of our faith, how to treasure the gift that God has given us. We talk about how we best honor this beautiful life we’ve been given, honoring every phase of life.” 

Dr. Goldsmith emphasized that the clinic is putting its trust in God to provide patients, families, and benefactors to help fulfill its mission. Eventually, the clinic desires to expand beyond the Midwest region. Until that expansion, however, people from the Upper Peninsula and beyond are welcome to
visit the clinic for care, according to Goldsmith.

“We have patients that come from across the country. We would love to build a stronger bridge between the U.P. and our clinic. We think it’s a natural extension.”

Telemedicine is offered through the clinic for those who cannot make the drive or who would prefer virtual visits. Same day appointments with a physician are also available for patients who need immediate care.

“For us as physicians and other medical professionals, we view every life, every patient that we care for as a gift from God,” said Goldsmith. “It is a special privilege that we are able to care for anyone
and everyone.