In order to maintain services at their Maternity Unit, Western Sierra Medical Clinic has hired a new OB/GYN to replace the one who has left. Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Heather Lucas-Ross, says Doctor Jonathan Davies has 15 years experience.The region, like the rest of the state, continues to have what’s described as a critical shortage in this speciality…

click to listen to Dr Lucas-Ross

For Nevada County, Ross says another recruiting challenge is attracting doctors to a rural area, but which also has high housing costs…

click to listen to Dr Lucas-Ross

Ross says the county currently has three OB/GYN’s. But she says the Federal Health Care Reform Act has greatly expanded medi-cal eligibility, with more mothers-to-be shifting from private insurance plans. That’s caused many patients to seek physicians outside the area. Western Sierra has offered maternity services, including a mid-wife, for years. They added an OB/GYN last year to the clinic, the largest outpatient provider in the region.