Ft. Lauderdale, FL – September, 2006 – Respected South Florida physician Dr. Lanalee Araba Sam is setting the stage for a new standard in obstetrics with Elite Obstetrics & Gynecology, a boutique-concept medical practice that offers exceptional care and attention before, during and after pregnancy. From “no-wait” appointments and thorough, unhurried office visits, to house-calls and 24/7 direct access to the doctor, Elite Ob/Gyn brings back the type of personalized medical service patients enjoyed in year’s past, but no longer find in today’s healthcare environment.

Already a leader in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for women and a pioneer using the latest robotic surgical technology, Dr. Sam now offers VIP obstetrical packages at Elite that provide her patients with an outstanding level of personal attention during every stage of their pregnancy. Her new paradigm limits the number of pregnant patients she accepts each month so that Dr. Sam can devote more time to each one, develop an in-depth appreciation of each patient’s unique prenatal condition, and provide as many VIP appointments as requested. Ultimately, restricting the number of obstetrical patients she sees gives Dr. Sam the opportunity to create an atmosphere of compassionate, personalized care at Elite that makes visiting the doctor an intimate, and comforting experience for expectant mothers.

“After ten years in practice,” notes Dr. Sam, “it became very clear to me that women were fed-up with the impersonal nature of our modern-day medical system, especially in terms of how that insensitivity impacted the most meaningful medical event of their lives: pregnancy. For my part as well - prior to becoming a private-practitioner - I was frustrated by the compromises I experienced as a physician, in having to see thousands of patients each year. Women are particularly vulnerable during pregnancy, and therefore that’s the time when they would really appreciate the attentive, caring support of their obstetrician. Sadly however, many women suffer through long waits before their appointments, only to have rushed examinations conducted by a rotating roster of over-worked doctors. Moreover, when it is time for patients to give birth they are often subjected to the uncertainty of not knowing which doctor will actually deliver them, given physicians ever-changing call schedules. I couldn’t help feeling there had to be a better way.”

Determined to provide her patients with a better experience, Dr. Sam launched Elite Obstetrics and Gynecology in the summer of 2006.

Upon entering the Elite Ob/Gyn offices on Commercial Blvd in Ft. Lauderdale, it becomes immediately apparent that someone has been paying careful attention to the differences that make a difference in the patient experience. From the reception area to the examination rooms, the contemporary décor is warm and inviting, creating an ambiance that feels more like a stylish spa-salon than a doctor’s office. There is no crowded waiting room to contend with, patients enjoy the comfort of cloth examining gowns instead of scratchy paper ones, and there’s even a private entrance for her growing celebrity clientele and/or people who simply want a higher level of discretion. The distinctions here are not merely cosmetic however. The all-female support staff at Elite is genuinely warm with an attitude that reflects a refreshing commitment to exceptional service. Best of all, because Elite only schedules a limited number of appointments, patients are quickly shown in to see Dr. Sam who gives them her full and unhurried attention. Night-time, weekend and even house-calls are also available, making appointments especially convenient for time-strapped professional women and busy mothers with daughters.

From special touches like limousine transport to-and-from the hospital or office, to a specialized maternity “spa day” every trimester, Dr. Sam’s Elite obstetrical packages pull out the stops to pamper each of her expectant mothers. But, the real difference is in the actual birth experience. Accepting only 4-5 pregnant patients per month ensures there are no conflicts at delivery time, so Dr. Sam can maintain her commitment to be in the hospital with each mother from the moment labor begins until the delivery is complete. This guarantee is virtually unheard of for obstetricians today who are legally required only to be within 30 minutes of the hospital when they have a patient in labor, and routinely instruct the nurses to call them to come to the hospital just in time for the delivery itself.

With an Elite obstetrical package Dr. Sam is not only present during active labor to support and comfort the family in this emotionally charged time, but most importantly, she is available to act immediately should an emergency situation arise. “As many of my friends warned, with my first child, my doctor didn’t arrive until minutes before my delivery,” claims one Elite patient from Boca Raton. “My husband and I were a bundle of nerves, due to all the complications I had throughout my pregnancy, and only the nurses were there to examine me and explain what was going on. Having my second child was an entirely different experience thanks to Dr. Sam, who was with us from beginning to end.”

For Dr. Sam, first-hand experience delivering hundreds of babies has convinced her that being on- site is critical. “I’ve seen babies slip away in the precious minutes lost between a fetal crisis and the time it takes for the doctor to get to the hospital. That’s not a situation I want my patients to ever find themselves in. I want to be right by their side…just in case.”

The same high level of individualized attention Dr. Sam provides to her obstetrics patients is carried through in all facets of her Elite gynecological practice. She is on the leading edge of surgical innovation, performing minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomies and ground-breaking robotic surgeries.

“My mission,” says Dr. Sam, “is to provide exceptional medical services to women at every stage of their lives, without compromising on the human touch I feel is so important to quality health services.” When it comes to maternity care, she’s even more emphatic about making the experience a personal one. “Pregnant women spend nine months involved in the most important project of their lives, so it’s crucial that they feel connected, confident and comfortable with their doctor. I hope my “Elite” standards become the norm, not the exception, in pregnancy care. It’s what all women deserve.

Mounting dissatisfaction with the way the medical care system works today has clearly created a desire for quality alternatives. With a commitment to medical excellence and sensitive service Dr. Sam’s Elite boutique practice is clearly a concept whose time has come.

VISIT WWW.ELITEOBGYN.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION