Contemporary Women's Care Physicians, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

Dr. Stephanie Van Zandt

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:45:01 -0400

I look forward to continuing to provide the best care for my patients: the personal touch mixed with sound medical judgment and common sense. I enjoy taking care of women in every phase of life..

I was born in Pontiac, Michigan shortly after my parents graduated from Michigan State University. Within five years, my parents added two more siblings, making us a well-rounded family of five. By the early 1970’s, my father had an itch to move to Florida like everyone else. What I remember most about growing up, is riding my bike

to the beach. I attended Seminole High School and decided that I wanted to be a Pediatrician. Soon, I left for the University of Florida and spent some of my most fun-filled years studying and making new friends.

Next, I attended University of South Florida College of Medicine and figured out that I was really meant to be an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. Finally, Match Day arrived and I found my way to Galveston, Texas for residency at University of Texas Medical Branch. After four hard working years of living and breathing OB/GYN, I returned to Florida in 1990. Luckily, I had met Dr. Shelley Young in residency and we moved to Ft. Myers, Florida together to join the same group. After 3 years, we decided that Ft. Myers was two hours from everywhere and we decided to open our own practice in Clearwater.

My life rapidly started to change as I met my future husband just before the move, so we long-distance dated for two years. My husband, Dr. Benjamin Schaffer, moved here with his 6 year old son, Justin, in 1995. It was nice to have a family and soon we added Jacob in 1997. Our practice was growing and life became better after we joined practices with Dr. Jennifer Hayes.

Our family decided that we needed another child, preferably a girl, to complete us. As older parents, our best option was adoption and we had a calling to find our angel in Ukraine. One of the most exciting and exhilarating times of our lives was spending 5 weeks in Ukraine searching for and finding our 15 mos. old daughter, Lyna. The transition was seamless as we were meant for each other – a perfect family fit.

Juggling a busy profession and home-life has been made easier with an understanding spouse and family and the help of great nannies. Luckily, my sister and her family as well as my mother live close by to help us and guide us. I look forward to watching my family mature and help them become the best that they can be.

* Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology
* Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
* American Medical Association
* Florida Ob/Gyn Society
* Pinellas County Medical Society

Dr. Shelley Young

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:44:35 -0400

I was introduced to the concept of empowering women at an early age. I went to an all female high school and college and learned the importance of women helping women.

I was born in Toledo, Ohio but my family soon moved to Connecticut where I was raised.Prior to attending medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, I received my BA in Biochemistry from Smith College in Northampton, MI and did research for two years at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I stayed on at UTMB for my residency in OB/GYN, which is where I met Dr. Stephanie Van Zandt. After residency, we joined a group practice in Ft. Myers where we met Cynthia Zelesnik, ARNP. The three of us decided to venture out on our own, and in 1991 we started Gulfcoast Women’s Care in Clearwater. In 1996, we joined with Dr. Jennifer Hayes, and Contemporary Women’s Care was born.

My special interests include minimally invasive surgery, endometrial ablation, urogynecology and general gynecology.

My free time is spent mostly with my husband Jeffrey and our four children. Any free time after that is spent reading, shopping and going to the theater.

* Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology
* Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
* American Medical Association
* Florida Ob/Gyn Society
* Pinellas County Medical Society

Dr. Katherine Dadisman

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:45:31 -0400

I love taking care of women of all ages, and enjoy the diversity of Obstetrics, Gynecology and surgery. I treat my patients like they are my friends or family, with honesty, compassion and respect.

The youngest of 4 of a Greek family, I was born in Saginaw, Michigan. After completing my Bachelor of Science at the University of Michigan (GO BLUE), I moved to Kansas City, Missouri to attend medical school at the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. My postgraduate training consisted of a traditional rotating internship in Seminole, Florida followed by my 4 year Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Botsford Hospital through Michigan State University. After experiencing enough cold, gray winters, I relocated to this sunny state and joined the team at Contemporary Women’s Care as board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

I have special interests in adolescent health, prenatal care and delivery and menopausal health. In my spare time I enjoy good cuisine (I don’t cook), traveling, the beach and my rescued greyhound ”Spirit“.

* Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology
* Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists
* American Osteopathic Association
* Speaker for Glaxo
* Florida Ob/Gyn Society
* Pinellas County Osteopathic Medical Society

Dr. Susan Fosnot

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:47:00 -0400

I chose to enter obstetrics and gynecology as it is a field of medicine which allows me to take care of women of all ages. It affords me the privilege of caring for individuals in many stages of their lives. It also allows me to participate in the practice of medicine with an emphasis of preventative medicine to allow women to enjoy long and healthy lives.

I was born in Plantation and lived in Florida all my life. My Bachelor’s in Science is from the University of Florida and my Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale. I did a rotating internship at Palmetto General Hospital in Miami and then spent four years in residency at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, a University of Florida program.

My specialties include urogynecology, minimally invasive surgery and all aspects of general ob/gyn. I enjoy traveling and going to the theatre whenever I have a break from my busy life.

* Board eligible OB/GYN
* Member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
* American Osteopathic Association
* Florida Ob/Gyn Society
* Pinellas County Medical Society
* Outstanding Resident Teaching Award 2006

Zerica Whittingham, ARNP, CNM

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:47:41 -0400

33 years ago, I embarked on a career that placed me exactly where I want to be, doing what I love to do, and that is taking care of women and families.

I was born in Jamaica, West Indies and moved to England where I finished my education and lived for 18 years. Midwifery training at Doncaster Maternity Hospital in England at York School of Nursing followed my RN training. I relocated to Florida in 1983, became an American Citizen, and attended Frontier School of Nurse Midwifery in Tampa, Florida. I worked at Sun Coast Hospital from 1983-1991. I practiced midwifery in Plant City for 5 years before joining Dr. Hayes in 1996. My husband Roy and I have three children and one grand child. I’m proud to say the medical legacy in my family is continuing on through my daughter Erica, who is currently in medical school.

My hobbies are reading, traveling, and theater and other cultural activities.

* Certified Nurse Midwife
* Dual RN/ARNP
* Member of American Collage of Nurse Midwives
* Chair for Tampa Bay Chapter of ACNM
* Organizations I serve on: The School Board at Woodlawn Academy, Superintendent Minority Advisory Committee, S.A.C. at Safety Harbor Middle School, and several committees at Church

Nancy McNamara, ARNP, CNM

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:48:13 -0400

It remains a miracle, even after all these births, that babies come out and do all the things they are supposed to do. They cry, breathe, swallow, and have all their fingers and toes. It’s amazing to watch perfect little babies being born so much of the time.

I was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in East Hartford. I got my nursing degree at St. Anselm College and then it was off to the military as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force where I attended Midwifery School at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. I retired from the Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel having been a Certified Nurse Midwife throughout my entire Air Force career in Germany, North Dakota, Michigan, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Delaware and the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am happy to say that I have delivered over 4,500 babies so far!

I joined Contemporary Women’s Care in 1999. I have two Scotties that keep me very busy, Cassie and MacDuff. When I’m not out taking photographs, doing wordworking or building computers, you might find me out riding around on my new red Harley!

* Certified Nurse Midwife
* Dual RN/ARNP
* Member of American Collage of Nurse Midwives
* Tampa Bay Chapter of ACNM

Debbie Landis-Nussbaum, ARNP, CNM

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:48:40 -0400

I saw the bond of mutual trust and respect that occurs between a midwife and the birthing mother when my sister was having her first child. I realized how important this special bond was for an emotionally healthy, satisfying, and safe birth process. I want to make a difference in every birthing opportunity I get to participate in.

I was born in Queens, New York and obtained my Nursing degree from State University of New York College at Brockport and my Midwifery education in Manchester, England. I completed my certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife from the Frontier School of Family and Midwifery.

I have over 29 years experience in women’s health, first as a Registered Nurse and then as a Certified Nurse Midwife. I have been practicing midwifery since 1991. I believe in individualized care for women and their families. Knowing pregnancy and birth is an inherently normal, natural, and very personal event, I focus on education and guidance throughout pregnancy and birth.

* Certified Nurse Midwife
* Dual RN/ARNP
* Member of American Collage of Nurse Midwives
* Tampa Bay Chapter of ACNM

Cindy Zelesnik, ARNP

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:49:54 -0400

With a love for women’s health care and years of experience, I feel my journey will continue here with my patients at CWC. I look forward to sharing my journey with you.

My journey as a nurse practitioner began in Chicago “The windy City”, my hometown. After completing my RN-BSN degree at Lewis University in Illinois and an OB/GYN NP program, my journey led me back to Chicago and Grant Hospital where as a hospital based OB/GYN NP many years of experience were acquired working with innovative physicians.

Years of visiting family in Florida and endless winter months in Chicago led me to private practice in fort Myers, Florida in 1989. The Sunshine State. Year-round golf and tennis... how could I resist! While in fort Myers, I began working with Drs. Van Zandt & Young and together we migrated to Clearwater in 1993 and in 1996 became Contemporary Women’s Care.

* Certified Nurse Midwife
* Dual RN/ARNP
* Member of American Collage of Nurse Midwives
* Tampa Bay Chapter of ACNM