Rhinoplasty: Cost, Pics, Reviews, Q&A

Name: Dr. Edmund Rhett, OBGYN

Position: Business Owner

Years experience: 42

Biography: Dr. Rhett was born in Charleston, SC and grew up in Atlanta. He graduated from The University of the South, Sewanee, TN with a degree in biology and received his MD from The Medical College of Georgia. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, having been board certified since 1979. Dr. Rhett returned to Charleston in 1977 and started the first OB/GYN practice in Mt. Pleasant. He took this practice from a three person group (he, his nurse, and receptionist ) to the largest of its kind in the area, Lowcountry OB/GYN.
He continues to keep up with all of the studies and clinical trials in his specialty and beyond. Recently he has developed a highly effective weight loss program and has also expanded his treatment of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, in which he follows a protocol which he believes is the most current and scientifically based method of BHRT.

Name: Dr. David Smith, OBGYN

Position: Staff

Years experience: 33

Biography: Dr. Smith was born and educated in Charleston, S.C. He graduated from Bishop England High School and attended The Citadel where he received a BS in chemistry in 1973. He earned his medical degree from The Medical University of S.C. After a rotating internship, he was a General Practitioner for four years. He then completed his OB/GYN residency and has been certified by the American board of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1992.

Dr. Smith has practiced in Mt. Pleasant since 1986. He has privileges at Roper St. Francis and East Cooper Medical Center. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery and alternative procedures to hysterectomy. He is experienced in all areas of gynecologic care, including menopausal treatment, hormone replacement therapy, and weight management. He has also been trained and is experienced in aesthetic procedures including Botox and Juvederm

Name: Dr. Allison Smith, Anesthesiologist

Position: Staff

Years experience: 25

Biography: Dr. Smith grew up in Virginia and is a third generation MD. After graduation from trinity College in CT, she received her MD from The University of Virginia and completed her Anesthesia residency at Harvard Medical School in 1994. She received her board certification is anesthesiology in 1995, and stayed at Harvard to work on staff and train residents. She moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1998 and was on staff at Roper. In 2007, she formed her own ambulatory surgery LLC. She is happily married to Mark Childers, and her main hobby is being Mom to her twelve year old son. RWC is proud to have Allison as their anesthesiologist for all of their in house surgery.

Name: Gene Blake, Nurse Practitioner

Position: Nurse Practitioner

Years experience: 15

Biography: Gene has cared for women since 2004. She received her Master’s in Nursing in 2007 from MUSC. She practiced in the conventional medicine model as a Certified Nurse Midwife, providing gynecological and obstetrical care. Dr. Rhett recruited Gene in 2014 and RWC feels privileged to have her as part of their team. She expanded her practice to include Bio Identical Hormone Replacement (BHRT). Providing bioidentical optimization care, allowed Gene to see the value in replacing specific hormones and nutrients the body was missing to achieve optimal health.

Gene received her functional medicine training through the Institute of Functional Medicine. Working through the functional medicine model of care gives Gene the opportunity to address specific symptoms and optimize health. By listening to each patient’s full story and looking to identify root causes, she is able to walk with patients on their journey to meet their specific goals and restore their health.

Name: Erin M. Copenhaver, PA-C, CHC

Position: Nurse Practitioner

Years experience: 21

Biography: For 12 years Erin worked as a PA in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Following the birth of her second child in 2010, she began to experience her own health struggles. The multiple years and providers it took to get a diagnosis frustrated Erin and she began doing research to figure out how her own diagnosis had been missed. Additionally, she became passionate about helping her patients and others avoid a similar fate. After being treated by Gene Blake, Erin found renewed health and energy, and she decided to pursue a health coaching certification. She started her own business, Charleston Wellness Coach, coaching both adults and children to incorporate healthy habits into their everyday lives. A shared passion and interest inspired Gene and Erin to begin working together at Rhett Women’s Center to develop protocols to help women with Hashimoto’s and other complex health conditions.

Name: Michelle Polhamus, Coolsculpting and Votiva Specialist

Position: Staff

Years experience: 33

Biography: Michelle Polhaumus is an ultrasonographer and the lead Coolsculpting and InMode Votiva Specialist, the practice’s newest feminine wellness solution, at Rhett Women’s Center. For over twenty years, Michelle has worked with founder and physician, Dr. Edmund Rhett, to grow Rhett Women’s Center to its current multi-provider, comprehensive women’s center. She manages the AAAASF accredited surgery center at Rhett Women’s Center.

Michelle moved to the Lowcountry in 1986 where she is happy to call this home, she has two children and loves spending as much time as she can in the salt air.

Name: Lynda Avera

Position: Nurse Practitioner

Years experience: 15