Utah has a severe shortage of obstetrics/gynecology providers, especially in rural areas. Dr. Todd Jarvis, an ob/gyn from Beaver, is helping to solve this problem by returning home after residency and medical school to serve his community. He is dedicated to helping patients choose lower cost and less intrusive procedures when they are likely to be effective.
“My training was in a low-income area near Dallas, Texas.” Dr. Jarvis said. “Many of my patients were uninsured or on Medicaid. I learned to look for less expensive treatments that will be effective and explain to patients what their options are.”
Dr. Jarvis occasionally consults at St. George Regional Hospital. Recently, he was called into the emergency room when a patient presented with an incomplete miscarriage. There, he assessed that she was stable with good vitals. However, she was uninsured and worried about the costs of treatment. To address this, Dr. Jarvis recommended a bedside treatment option that could be attempted before moving to a more expensive procedure. Fortunately, this initial treatment was successful and saved the patient thousands of dollars.
Dr. Jarvis is enrolled in the Healthcare Workforce Financial Assistance Program, which repays student loans for healthcare providers who serve underserved communities. This program aims to improve access to healthcare in areas that don’t have enough medical professionals.
Dr. Jarvis spoke about the advantages of living in St. George, Noting that it’s large enough to support specialists and offer a range of resources, yet small enough to still feel like he’s part of a community. Dr. Jarvis sees patients from as far away as a hundred miles, including those from Beaver, Kanab, and Mesquite.
Dr. Jarvis grew up in Beaver County, went to school at Brigham Young University, and completed his training in Texas. He is currently an obstetrician/gynecologist at Valley Women’s Health in St. George.
About Valley Women’s Health
Valley Women’s Health provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for women in Utah Valley and Southern Utah. From routine gynecologic care to pregnancy and postpartum support, our providers are committed to creating an experience where women feel empowered in their health journey. Learn more at valleywomenshealth.com.
About the Healthcare Workforce Financial Assistance Program
The Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program is a three-year educational loan repayment program serving healthcare providers in exchange for their service in underserved communities. For more information, visit: https://ruralhealth.utah.gov
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