Doctor uses post to help teach health
Halfway through her term as the president of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Patricia Arnett of Butler has the opportunity to speak nationally and work on initiatives in the medical field.
Arnett, a board certified obstetrics and gynecology physician who practices at Advanced OB/GYN Associates in both Butler and Saxonburg, was installed in March as president and will serve a one-year term.
The college, founded in 1934, has a mission of being "passionately committed to excellence in women's heath," both educating and supporting osteopathic health care professionals to improve the quality of life for women, according to its Web site.
Arnett, who became actively involved in ACOOG in 1996, has established herself in the organization. She previously served as the president elect, vice president, chairman of both the continuing medical education and membership and promotions committees, and holds the title of a distinguished fellow.
Arnett said she had not sought the presidency and was called out of the blue.
"It was an honor," Arnett said. "And I believe I am one of only five female presidents and one of the youngest presidents (in the organization)."
Under her presidency themed "Fellowship, Fun and Fitness," Arnett has traveled out of state, met the leaders of similar organizations, attended conferences and spoke at events and medical schools throughout the United States.
She goes to events once or twice a month, mostly on weekends.
Though Arnett said she doesn't always like having to leave her home and family, she has been fortunate to meet people and act as an ambassador for the group.
The next major event Arnett will attend is the ACOOG 2008 fall conference Oct. 26 to 30 in Las Vegas, where she will be the keynote speaker for the women's health seminar for the American Osteopathic Association. Being an elementary school teacher before pursuing a medical degree in obstetrics and gynecology, Arnett said education is still important to her.
"I want to educate the community, and I am deeply committed to continuing education," she said.
Arnett helped set up a student organization affiliate of the ACOOG for medical students interested in OB/GYN and also has been involved in teaching medical students one-on-one. She was selected for the Mentor Hall of Fame for the American Osteopathic Association.
Beyond mentoring students, Arnett has used her position to help the Butler area as a whole.
"I have had Dr. Carl DellaBadia come from Drexel University to Butler Memorial Hospital to teach new techniques," Arnett said.
She said DellaBadia, an obstetrics and gynecology physician and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Drexel, has given numerous educational workshops and helped to improve women's health care in the area.
Dr. Arnett said having the opportunity to meet many other doctors in her specialty and to develop friendships with them has been beneficial.
"Odd things happen in medicine, so it's nice to know you have someone to call that's been around," she said.
After completing her term, Arnett hopes to return to her missionary work of doing surgeries on women in underprivileged countries. Arnett said volunteer work has "been put on the back burner" during her presidency.
Arnett earned her osteopathic medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, W.Va., in 1989, completed her internship at Logan General Hospital in Logan, W.Va., and completed her residency training at Ohio University-Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
She has lived in Butler for 10 years with her husband, Jim. The couple has two children.
Arnett's hobbies include biking, running and boxing.
