Dressed in shades of periwinkle and white with deep, soft furniture, and a hint of cinnamon lingering in the air, the waiting area in Dr. Shaman’s office says spa, or cottage, perhaps.
On the walls are large professional portraits featuring children that would make any mother proud, and over in one corner sits a glass cooler with complimentary bottled water.
Whatever it says, spa, cottage, or just a nice place to sit and relax, the waiting room is the first thing people notice when they arrive for an appointment, or simply walk by the glass walls of the private OB/GYN practice opened Aug. 7 by Peter Shaman M.D., inside the North Oakland Medical Center.
With a woman’s comfort as his primary concern, Shaman put his wife, Janine, in charge of designing the area out front.
‘Sometimes when a person is nervous, they’ll forget about things,? said Shaman. ‘I wanted to create a relaxed environment that will help women feel comfortable enough to sit down and talk to me about the problems they may be having.?
Shaman spent a year putting together the details of his private practice, making sure the pieces were in place for various insurance plans, and designing the clean, open feel of his offices, which will allow for talks by guest speakers.
And while he practices obstetrics and gynecology, and will eventually offer in-office surgical procedures such as scarless tubal ligation, Shaman has also branched into the cosmetic procedures that interested him while he trained at Wayne State University.
The office employs a certified massage therapist, and will also feature laser hair and vein treatment, microdermabrasion, facials, peels, botox and other services.
High quality cosmetic products are also available in the office.
This branching into more spa-like treatments, said Shaman, results from spending much of his medical career treating a great many women with common concerns.
‘One thing I find is that if you’re not well, it is reflected in your skin,? he said. ‘And likewise, if you don’t feel you look good on the outside, it affects your mood coming from the inside.?
This philosophy leads to a holistic approach to caring for the person, not just the condition, he said.
In addition to the medical and cosmetic services, the clinic also points women to complementary resources.
The photographer who displays her work in the waiting room is available for hire, and she’s the same photographer Shaman has used to capture images of his own children: a son, 7, and two daughters, ages 3 and 16 months.
Interesting and unique products from Birmingham-based Bella Belli Maternity are also available for browsing or purchasing out front.
‘I wanted to find people who are out there doing something unique, and doing a great job at it,? said Shaman. ‘I want to be able to bring those things to the women who come here.?
And forget about an ordinary ultrasound image to pass around at the next family gathering. Shaman’s office offers 3-D ultrasound images on CD for a unique and modern keepsake.
He does it all, he said, because there is a need.
‘This is the most comfortable environment I’ve ever worked in,? said Kathy Moreno, a medical assistant who’s been working with Shaman for three years. ‘The best thing about this job is knowing I can help pregnant women and geriatric patients feel comfortable again.?
Contact Peter Shaman M.D. at (248)625-8555. His office is located in Clarkston at 6770 Dixie Highway, Suite 313.