NorthShore and OGA merge to increase capacity of women’s health services in Valpo

In 2024, Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates (OGA) merged with NorthShore Health Centers to form a new clinic in Valparaiso: NorthShore Health Centers – OGA. Prior to joining forces with NorthShore, OGA operated as a private practice for over 40 years with a strong staff of OB/GYNs, doctors, nurse practitioners, and midwives. 

While OGA thrived over the past 40 years, the staff realized that, with a growing community, it needed to expand its capacity to serve. OGA determined that merging with NorthShore would enable them to reach a higher potential for community impact.

“We had a very strong OB/GYN staff that was trained really well. There were three of us, as well as three midwives, and we practiced good medicine. As the community grew, it became harder to serve everyone,” said Dr. Crystal Strickland, Porter County director of the OB/GYN department. “NorthShore’s mission is to serve everyone and treat everyone the same, and since it is a federally qualified health care center, there’s really no limit on who you see. By merging, we make this huge practice that contains doctors, nurse practitioners, and midwives. We can serve the entire community and do so in an exceptional manner that we feel is second to none.”

NorthShore Health Centers – OGA is a full-service office offering a range of services surrounding women’s health, such as prenatal care, perimenopausal/menopausal care, ultrasounds, in-office procedures, contraceptive prescriptions, bioidentical hormone replacement, and more. Thanks to the merger, there are even more professionals—each with their own specializations—available to serve patients. With a range of specialists, increased availability for walk-in appointments, a patient portal, and other upgrades, Strickland is proud of how many patients choose NorthShore Health Centers – OGA for their women’s health needs.

“I think we’re simply the best. We offer everything and provide personalized care. If you are a teenager having trouble with your cycles and needing assistance, we can help. If you are a mom who is newly pregnant and doesn’t know anything about delivering a baby, we have specialized care. If you are a high-risk mom with a lot of medical problems, we are well-versed in that. If you are transitioning into menopause, we have specialists who are trained for that.” Strickland said. “We do robotics — which are the latest, greatest ways to do hysterectomies and other minimally invasive procedures — as well as in-office procedures. We offer the same care that you would get in any major city, but it’s right at your fingertips.”

As September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Strickland encourages women to keep in touch with their gynecologists through annual appointments, as ovarian cancer is one of the more elusive cancers.

“Ovarian cancer is one of those tough cancers that sometimes does not have a lot of noticeable symptoms initially,” Strickland said. “Some things you can look out for are abdominal bloating or swelling, feeling full, fatigue, back pain, or a change in stool habits, such as constipation. Since there is no screening test for ovarian cancer, you have to rely on instinct and the clinical exams that gynecologists do. That’s why it’s important to always have contact with a gynecologist.”

To learn more about the services and specialists at NorthShore Health Centers, visit northshorehealth.org.