Dr. David Kimble Brings his Urogynecology Expertise to Clínica Romero
Since 1996, Dr. David Kimble has dedicated part of his time to providing obstetrics and gynecological services to underserved communities.
He did this in New York while living there, and after moving to Los Angeles about six years ago.
Over the past two years, he has offered his OBGYN expertise and knowledge of urogynecology once a week at Clínica Romero.
“Latino women do not have easy access to Urogynecology. I find that’s a huge void in our healthcare system,” says Dr. Kimble, who also encourages his colleagues to serve in this way.
Now, he brings this expertise in-house as the first Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Clínica, with the mission to expand women’s healthcare access to those who need it most.
“I’ve been able to provide services beyond OBGYN services, expanding the specialty care we can provide to the population we serve,” he says.
“This uniquely separates Clinica Romero from other community-based clinics.”
UROGYNECOLOGY
Also known as female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, Urogynecology is a subspecialty of gynecology and urology that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the pelvic floor in women. These conditions include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, and overactive bladder. Urogynecologists are experts in managing these complex pelvic floor disorders through both surgical and nonsurgical approaches.
The causes of pelvic organ prolapse vary, including childbearing, aging, and genetics.
Beyond the embarrassing or uncomfortable episodes, if not treated early, the condition may affect kidney function and lead to renal failure.
Catching it early is vital, and lack of access is often a contributor to developing a serious condition.
That is one of Dr. Kimble’s goals, who suggests that OB-GYNs should screen for the condition during their annual routine gynecological exams.
This is part of the commitment he aims to establish in his new role overseeing the women’s health division at Clínica Romero.
“I try to go to different clinics and establish some continuum of care among each of the clinical sites,” notes this graduate of the University Of Florida College Of Medicine who completed a residency at Albany Memorial Hospital in New York.
“We’re very unique to our care approach because at every clinic site we have providers to provide comprehensive women care,” he says.
Clínica Romero has five OBGYN Board Certified doctors, and they are hiring an additional one. There are also numerous physician’s assistants and medical providers.
WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE AFFECTS THE WHOLE FAMILY
Dr. Kimble says that women’s healthcare has been generally underserved and its only been in the past 15-20 years that there’s been more a focus on preventive medicine and programs for women’s healthcare.
Even back in New York, when I was chief of Urogynecology at a large healthcare facility, we implemented many initiatives to improve women’s healthcare. He hopes to replicate this at Clínica Romero to enhance the quality of care provided to all women.
Such focus is vital because expanding healthcare services for women benefits the whole family.
“Women in general, across the country, are the majority of patients seeking preventive and routine clinical care,” Dr. Kimble explains. “Large hospitals recognize that they are the decision-makers for healthcare in the family.”
As the primary caretakers at home, women influence the health of their children and partners, too. That’s why Clínica Romero places a special emphasis in this patient population.
“Our reproductive health services for women are managed by some of the top specialists in the Los Angeles area, especially in obstetrics,” Dr. Kimble says.
Their approach is culturally sensitive and clinically proven to deliver high-quality care to their patients. It begins the moment providers enter a room. “We don’t bring laptops or any other electronic devices,” Dr. Kimble notes. We sit and communicate directly with the patient.
“Women need to feel seen, heard, and understood,” he adds, to establish a trusting relationship with their providers from the very beginning.
BUILDING TRUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
Building trust is now more important than ever due to the recent attacks on immigrant communities. The immigration raids in Los Angeles over the past two weeks have left patients feeling dread.
“All the unrest that we have has limited access to women’s healthcare,” Dr. Kimble laments. “They’re afraid to leave their homes and go to the clinic to receive the care that they need.”
Clínica Romero—a bastion in the immigrant community for over 40 years and known for its inclusivity—has responded to these uncertainties, providing assurances to their patients.
“We’re getting the message out that we are here to provide exceptional healthcare at a very safe setting, and most of our clinics are located in areas that permit foot traffic,” Dr. Kimble says.
He adds that they have increased the security at each clinic location, and everyone at the clinic sites is there to make patients feel secure and safe.
“We contact patients with an appointment two days in advance to check their transportation options and explain our safety procedures. If, for any reason, they cannot come to the clinic, we will switch it to a telehealth appointment,” he explains.
This patient-centered approach and being attuned to the cultural and language needs of the patient population are among the reasons why he chose to accept his new position.
He hopes that as time goes on, these uncertainties will decrease, and people will once again feel safe attending their healthcare appointments.
But in the meantime, he notes that Clínica Romero will continue to do whatever it takes to support the community with their healthcare concerns.
“Clinica Romero has always had an open-door policy, which truly defines its mission: healthcare is a human right…And I would add, exceptional healthcare is a human right,” he says.
