Centering Care

It’s rare to feel at home at the doctor’s office, but that’s what SARAH GORE hoped to achieve when she opened her own private practice, the Lotus Center of Health for Gynecology Care, this year in New Hanover Medical Park.

A board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Gore previously worked at Wilmington Health for nearly ten years and, while grateful for the experience, says she hopes to offer more personalized care through her private practice.

“I just wanted to go back to a mom-and-pop philosophy,” she says. “It’s very intimidating to walk into some of the bigger practices.”

Gore left Wilmington Health in 2022 and traveled before purchasing the space that would house her future practice. The Lotus Center of Health opened in January, following renovations to the building, which previously served as Kamran Goudarzi’s Scarless Vein Care practice before it moved to the Mayfaire area.

The renovation and transition to business management came with challenges, but as she navigated finances and contractors, Gore committed to working solely with local businesses and never lost sight of her vision to create a welcoming private practice. From marketing to the hardwood flooring and white countertops, nearly everything in the space comes from local businesses, all intentionally selected by Gore.

The finished product is a tranquil private practice space that has quickly become popular among patients seeking gynecological care in the Wilmington area.

“We’ve gotten referrals from as far as the Grand Strand area to Morehead City,” Gore says. The practice’s mission is to provide compassionate care through an array of services centered on women’s health and wellness, a mission that Gore and her team take very seriously.

Though it is a doctor’s office, the space feels calm and inviting. During the renovation, Gore added four new office spaces, an in-house research facility, a lab, and an ultrasound room. Artwork by local artists adorns the walls, and the spacious waiting room features trailing plants, giant windows, and a play space for kids.

Gore also added a deck space at the rear of the building, outfitted with patio furniture and tucked near the trees bordering the property.

“Sometimes you have to deliver hard news,” she says, “it’s very difficult to do when you feel like you’re not heard or in a cold environment.”

The practice makes a point that it welcomes LGBTQ+ patients.

“Some people are scared to advertise that, but I’m not,” she says. “We all bleed the same.”

The staff is women-led, with Gore at the helm and nurse practitioners with diverse specializations working alongside her. From fertility services to cosmetic procedures, mental health assessments to minimally invasive robotic procedures, the practice includes a range of services.

“My goal was to provide as much as we could under one roof,” Gore says. “Women are the primary caregivers for most of our families. It’s difficult to get referred.”

Among the staff are nurse practitioner MEREDITH SHEFFIELD, who specializes in polycystic ovary syndrome management, weight management, and adolescent care, as well as general gynecologic care. Also on the team is psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and certified midwife ASHLI GIBSON, who provides mental health support, including gender-affirming care.

Like the other elements of Lotus Center of Health, Gore says she carefully handpicked her team to support her mission.

“I made a very blanket statement (when hiring) saying, ‘We take care of all people, and if that’s not your philosophy, then this isn’t the right place for you,’” she says.

That philosophy still holds for Gore in the face of recent cuts to providers for Medicaid reimbursements.

“I can only accept a certain percentage (of Medicaid patients) based on my accounting recommendations,” Gore says, “so there may be some limitations to that, but my goal is to still accept at least a large percentage, because we all need care.”

While Gore has gotten requests to start another practice in Southport or downtown Wilmington, she says she’s not ready to expand yet.

Gore also hopes to expand services eventually with primary care for men.

“I want it to continue to be a small practice,” she says, “but the needs in the community are exponential because of the population growth and growth in the area.”

Eventually, Gore might open another clinic, she says, but for now, she’s focused on seamless, intentional health care and wellness, building a rapport with new and returning patients alike.

“You’ll see the same face every time that you come in,” Gore says. “And that means a lot.”

To view more of photographer and stylists Drewe & Kate’s work, go to dreweandkate.com

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