GRMC Introduces New OB/GYN

Grinnell Regional Medical Center welcomes Monica Brito, MD, FACOG, obstetrician and gynecologist to the Grinnell Regional Women’s Health Clinic. Brito will begin on Monday, Sept. 16, in the clinic located on the second floor of the Ahrens Medical Arts Building.

Brito earned her medical degree from Central University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador. She completed two residencies in internal medicine and obstetrics/gynecology at New York University Medical Center – Bellevue Hospital, in New York.

Brito comes to Grinnell from Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in Brooklyn, New York, where she has been an attending physician caring for patients in labor and delivery. She also provided comprehensive perinatal and gynecologic women’s health care and surgeries. Brito brings exceptional skills with her to Grinnell. She has clinical OB/GYN diagnostic skills along with specialty skills in surgery and ultrasound.

While providing patient care at Woodhull, Brito served as an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y. Brito has also completed an advanced obstetrical gynecological ultrasound fellowship at New York University Medical Center. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

“My practice focuses on providing care to patients with compassion and sensitivity to their problems,” says Brito. “I see each patient as an individual and not as a disease. My goal is to give each patient the care I would like a loved one to get. ”

When asked why she became an OB/GYN specialist, Brito responded with, “I am a mother, woman, and wife. I can empathize with them. I care for individuals to bring the whole woman together over all ages. I love surgery and with my internal medicine training, I like the pathology of disease and helping solve problems.”

“I always just knew I wanted to be a physician. I didn’t have to decide because I just knew. Surgery just feels so natural – like a musical prodigy who picks up a musical instrument and they know it just feels right – I’ve always felt that way about surgery and being a surgeon,” Brito says.

Brito learned about Grinnell’s medical center and the practice culture here from Seanna Thompson, MD, GRMC’s former OB/GYN who recently moved to Minnesota to be near her husband.

Brito trained in New York City hospitals that handled some of the sickest, most critical patients – often caring for patients referred by other OB/GYN doctors. This training provided Brito with exposure to vast cultures and perceptions of medical care.

“I developed a real sensitivity to cultural views and how each individual experiences disease differently. This training allowed me to understand that the disease process for one person may not be same for another patient. Each person is unique and sees the disease in their own way,” Brito explains.

Though Brito moves to Iowa from New York City, she feels moving to Grinnell is a natural place for her practice.

“In my South American background, we take care of the family members, elders, and children. I think this is refreshing to come back to a practice location where I’m part of the community, schools, and the lives of people. My medical practice is based on treating patients like family members. I’d offer patients the recommendations that are in the best interest of the individual, just like I’d tell my sister or mother,” Brito says.

Grinnell Regional Women’s Health Clinic is located on the second floor of the Ahrens Medical Arts Building. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 641-236-2905.