Schedule a Consultation!
Fill out this short form below and someone from our staff will call you to schedule your consultation. Thank you!
Catching up with Physician’s Assistant Cassidy Quimby
It truly takes a team to help every individual and couple that comes into our clinic hoping to start a family. One of the integral members of the team is physician assistant Cassidy Quimby. We sat down with Cassidy for a Q&A that will help our prospective patients get to know her and her role at the American Institute of Reproductive Medicine-Alabama. As an added bonus, she gives patients three key pieces of advice about the fertility journey.
Q: What is your role at ACRM – Alabama?
A: As a Physician’s Assistant, I provide medical care, treatment, and advice to all of our patients going through fertility treatments. This includes going to all surgeries with the physician, doing procedures, PAP smears, intrauterine insemination, transvaginal ultrasounds and more. I also conduct baseline tests and monitor patients.
I would say that education is the biggest role that I play. From the very beginning of exploring fertility options, patients are given a huge amount of information. It’s my job to stay in touch with our patients to answer whatever questions may come up and to make sure they have a good understanding of their treatment journey. Throughout the process, I will communicate with patients what treatments we’re undertaking, why we’re doing it, what we hope to see, what may have to change, and what the next plan might be if we’re not seeing the expected results. For example, if a few of cycles of treatments don’t work, we will need to adopt a more aggressive treatment plan and educate the patient on the new plan. We recognize that all of this is very sensitive information and it’s my job to support our patients by helping them think it through and talk it through.
Q: Why do you love helping patients at ACRM – Alabama?
A: I really fell in love with OB/GYN on my women’s health rotation at UAB. My top choice when I graduated was women’s health in some way or fashion. For me, it’s about connection. I find it very easy to talk to women, and it’s easy for me to put people at ease. Some women might be very nervous talking about these sensitive issues, but I am someone who can easily connect with them and start a candid conversation. I think it’s really inspiring what we’re doing – helping people with the journey. We sort of become like family here.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are undergoing the fertility journey?
A: First, only join support groups and stay in them if they are truly supportive. Social media support groups can start off as a good thing but then start to give you anxiety and stress, largely because the amount of information thrown around in the groups can become overwhelming. Keep in mind that every patient case is individualized and not every bit of information will be relevant to you.
Second, ask as many questions as you have when you are exploring fertility treatments and going through the process. There are no stupid questions. Don’t ever be embarrassed about any question. If you have a question, someone else has asked it before. Keep asking questions until you do understand.
Third, understand that the fertility journey is a process and not an overnight thing. It’s not always a miraculous “one cycle and you’re done” deal – sometimes it takes multiple cycles and multiple months of trying.
Cassidy Quimby can be reached at cquimby@nullivfalabama.com. If you’re ready to learn more about fertility treatments at the Alabama Center for Reproductive Medicine – Alabama, schedule an in-person, phone, or telemedicine appointment by calling 205-307-0484.
Fill out this short form below and someone from our staff will call you to schedule your consultation. Thank you!