Women can now avoid a trip to Seattle for gynecological care thanks to Jefferson Healthcare’s new women’s health clinic, which opened for service April 3.

Lisa Holt, chief ancillary officer for the hospital, said the “dynamic duo” of Dr. Ann Hoffman and Jane Albee, ARNP, run the clinic.

“These ladies are so enthusiastic, so excited,” Holt said.

Holt said a rigorous search was conducted to find a doctor who would be a good fit for the area. One of the challenges was finding an obstetrician/gynecologist who was willing to walk away from a busy obstetrics practice to instead focus primarily on gynecology.

Hoffman is board certified by the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is a graduate of Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, and is a preceptor for Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and the University of Washington.

Although Hoffman’s focus is to be on gynecology, she will also practice obstetrics and be on call for C-sections.

Holt said the clinic was needed. She said, for example, that between May 2015 and May 2016, the health care system had 300 referrals for gynecological services and an additional 147 for ob-gyn services.

But now, “[Hoffman] will be able to provide that care here,” Holt said.

Hoffman became interested in women’s health when she was a general intern. She moved to Arlington in 2002 and worked at Cascade Valley Hospital. She enjoys taking care of women, performing surgery and delivering babies. She’s delivered more than a few over the course of her career:

“I think the last time I checked it was around 2,000,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman was busy on April 3 seeing two patients and becoming familiar with her new office and staff. Working with Hoffman is Lou Long, R.N., receptionist Vicki Peters, manager Elizabeth Clapp and Albee. They plan on hiring one more person.

Albee graduated from the University of Buffalo, New York, and earned her graduate degree at the University of Florida. She specializes in women’s health.

“I’m a child of the ’70s,” Albee said. “I have an original copy of the book ‘Our Bodies, Ourselves.’ It had to do with feminism and women’s rights and providing care for women.”

Hoffman was pleased with the clinic’s “perfect” location on the main floor of the hospital.

“Right down the hall is the operating room. So from a surgical standpoint, it’s nice and close, and labor and delivery is directly up above. So [there’s] quick access to both of the other departments that I’d be in besides the clinic,” she said.

The new clinic has four exam rooms, a lab, storage room, reception area and two business offices. It is located in the former orthopedics clinic, which moved to a new location in October 2016.

One of Hoffman’s conditions for accepting the position is that the color pink not be used in her office color scheme. Instead, forest green is used for some office curtains.

Hold said the clinic was already booked with 20 patients for next week. Hours for the women’s clinic are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. An open house is expected to be held Monday, May 1 at 4 p.m.

The clinic specializes in women’s health, wellness and preventative care, including: annual exams, breast and pelvic cancer screenings, contraceptive management, family planning, menopause care, noninvasive management of pelvic relaxation and urinary incontinence, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing, colposcopies and loop electrosurgical excision procedures, and surgical procedures such as laparoscopies, hysteroscopies and minimally invasive hysterectomies.

“It’s a pretty broad-spectrum,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman has been married for 34 years to her husband, Mark. The couple has five children – two girls and three boys. The Hoffmans have already found a home in the area.

She said she likes Port Townsend.

“I like that it’s small enough that people know pretty much everybody. It gives a whole different attitude to medical care. I love small hospitals.”