Dr. Tanya Pasternack

ABOUT ME

It is a privilege to care for patients throughout all stages of life. When patients have reproductive concerns, they may feel hesitant or uncomfortable about sharing them. I strive to offer them a safe place.

I enjoy all aspects of ob/gyn care, but over the years, and my own reproductive experiences, I have developed a few areas of interest. I enjoy empowering young women (adolescent gynecology) as they begin menstruating and transition to their childbearing years. Many of my patients have had their daughters come to see me, which is such a joy and compliment!

I also value supporting women during their infertility journey. I understand that this can be a long and emotional process. But it is also very exciting as new technologies and protocols are constantly being developed.

I grew up in the Bay Area in California, and my parents empowered me to be an independent adult. I was strong in the sciences and enjoyed working one-on-one with people. So, putting those things together, I went into medicine; and I chose women’s health.

I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras and enjoyed keeping up my Spanish language skills with my Spanish-speaking patients.

I feel strongly about doing my part to ensure health equity. Outside of Denali OB-GYN, I am the Alaska State Medical Director for Planned Parenthood. I am glad Alaska can offer discounted quality reproductive health care to our communities.

Advances in medical technology have done a lot of good for the patient experience, both lowering the cost and reducing recovery while also producing better outcomes. I utilize minimally invasive procedures, which require a very small incision through which I insert tiny instruments and a camera, to remedy a wide range of health issues. One of the big benefits of minimally invasive surgery is the patient is usually not required to stay overnight in a hospital.

An important part of providing good healthcare is open and honest communication in the doctor-patient relationship, so I make sure to give my patients time to express their concerns fully and not rush into a physical exam.

Patients come to me with a wide range of different experiences and backgrounds. I am well-versed in trauma-informed care, which means I make sure to identify and recognize if patients have sexual trauma or other abuse in her life or history, then work to understand how that could be affecting her health and, more important, what we – together – can do about it.

WHY SHOULD A PATIENT CHOOSE DENALI OB-GYN?

I had a patient the other day who had had three pregnancies at a different clinic. I asked, “Why did you switch to us?” She replied, “Because I wanted to have one doctor. I wanted to know who my doctor is. I didn’t like showing up and not knowing who my doctor would be.”

At Denali OB-GYN, we’re big on patient continuity. For prenatal visits, the patient will be able to see me for all her visits. Most other providers in town have a group-practice model, where a patient will come in and be seen by any one of the providers. She gets the benefit of meeting everyone but not forming a close relationship with one provider.

If you are a potential patient, you should know, at Denali OB-GYN, you will be heard. Any recommended interventions or treatments will be thoroughly explained to you. We focus on allowing patients to understand and be involved in the decision-making process and her care.

As I write this, I’m pregnant, and I believe in and trust the doctors at Denali OB-GYN that one of my colleagues is my obstetrician and will deliver my child. I would trust the medical skills of anyone in our group.