Girl Crush: Rachel Pope, MD, Menopause Specialist
I met Dr. Rachel Pope a few years ago when she and her University Hospitals dream team (Jean Marino and Anna Myers) were conducting an in home parlor meeting to help demystify menopause. I was crushing hard for all three of these brilliant and caring medical professionals. And my admiration has only grown the more I’ve gotten to know them. The five star reviews I hear from my peers that have heard them speak and then seen them in office, doesn’t hurt either.
But the “origin” story goes back a little further… About 3.5 years ago we were out to dinner with our dear friends Dr. Lee Ponsky and his wife Monica. Lee is the chair of the Urology Department and Institute at UH, so he also knows his stuff.
As we were at dinner, Monica and I were trading war stories about the various ways menopause (and perimenopause) were kicking our a**. The hot flashes, the brain fog, the mood swings, the weight gain, the joint pain, the dryness of hair, skin, eyes and everywhere else… And then we turned on Lee - “why isn’t anyone talking about this?” Luckily he listened and introduced me to Rachel and the team.
If You’re Searching for Answers - Join me at The Menopause Retreat
Sunday, October 2nd at 10 am
It’s a day-long retreat to take a deep dive on how to navigate menopause and perimenopause. Our group of about 20 will gather at the Walden Inn and Spa. We will start the day with meditative yoga to get us all in the same mindset. We will then have info sessions from Anna, Jean, and Rachel before breaking for lunch. (PS I’m going to be sharing tips and tricks to help us love the way we look, even as our bodies are constantly changing).
We will have one-on-one sessions to help you figure out where to get started in navigating the healthcare system based on your most pressing needs. You can sign up for discounted Spa services ahead of time and enjoy these in the afternoon while we have mini-sessions on more menopause topics including practical sessions on the pelvic floor, fitness and nutrition, and more surprises in store...! Most importantly, it will be a chance to connect with others going through the same things.
Hurry! Space is limited.
Here’s the 411 on Dr. Rachel Pope
Dr. Rachel Pope was born in Pittsburgh, PA but has spent many of her more recent years in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a gynecologist with fellowship training in global women’s health. After residency at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, she and her husband moved to Malawi in southern Africa where she did her fellowship to learn how to repair obstetric fistulas.
She had her first daughter in South Africa and they stayed in Malawi for two more years where she directed a national Fistula Hospital for women with these severe birth injuries. Interestingly, women in the US used to get these injuries before we had well-run ambulances and hospitals for emergencies during labor. The last fistula hospital in the US became the Waldorf Astoria in NYC!
Rachel and her family returned to Cleveland in 2019 and she became the chief of the Female Sexual Health division and part of the Gender Care program in the Urology Institute at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
Her clinical practice surrounds female sexual health, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, birth injuries, cancer survivorship, vaginal reconstruction and gender affirming surgery and her research interests are in health disparities and social determinants of health. She has authored over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is always engaged in research to improve cis-women‘s and transwomen’s sexual and gynecological health and to improve access to high quality health care worldwide.
She has a 4 year old and 2 year old daughter and a loving husband, who is a family physician. They love hiking and spending time outdoors as much as possible regardless of the season in Cleveland.
Rachel’s 5 Favorite Things
Boden dresses
I love their dresses for work and for going out and they often have pockets, which is a huge plus for me!
2. Aqua di Parma
All of these scents are incredible, but I especially love this one, which means "Oranges of Capri."
3. Passion Planner
Despite our digital world, I love having a physical planner to look at my month, week, and get some inspiration.
4. Sleepy from Lush
I used to hate this store because all of the scents are so overwhelming, I cannot distinguish any of their products. Then, a friend bought this lotion for me as a gift and I became obsessed! They have a powder version that my girls love to sprinkle on their pillows before bed time, too!
5. Cape Town, South Africa
This is where I delivered my 4 year old and due to pregnancy complications, ended up staying for several months before having her. It became a temporary home and I was wooed by the beaches, mountains and urban landscapes, the incredible restaurants and vineyards (enjoyed more after I delivered) and the incredibly warm people.