1 of 2
Heather R. Waldrup, MD, Advanced Surgeons P.C.
2 of 2
Advanced Surgeons P.C.
Heather Waldrup says she’s always loved helping people when they’re sick or hurting.
Their vulnerability “presents such a unique opportunity to minister to them, show them kindness and make them feel more comfortable,” she said.
That’s why surgery has been such a great fit for her.
“I love the problem solving involved with practicing medicine and aiding patients in their recovery with surgical treatment.”
Since 2015, Waldrup has worked with Advanced Surgeons P.C., a leading-edge, faith-based general surgery practice located at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham. She and the four other surgeons are highly trained in general surgery with subspecialties in colorectal, bariatric, breast, thyroid and minimally invasive surgery.
“I love my patients,” she said. “I am so thankful I can be a part of the process for patients who are given a diagnosis of cancer and intervening surgically for a cure. Or when someone can come in my office with pain from gallstones, hemorrhoids or a hernia then two weeks after surgery they are back to their life pain free. For me it doesn’t get any better.”
More and more, Waldrup said, she’s seeing female patients who prefer to see female physicians, especially for sensitive issues such as breast cancer or anorectal problems.
“Being the only female general surgeon at Grandview Medical Center has put me in a position to be a caring ally for these women,” she said.
She understands their plight in other ways also — she’s been on the other side of medicine with both her husband and her dad having major surgery and chemotherapy.
“I’m so grateful for outstanding doctors and nurses during this time, but I hear so many stories of surgeons treating physical problems without compassion,” Waldrup said. “I love practicing surgery, and I love my patients — and they know it.”
If she has a particularly sick patient in the hospital, or if she’s completed a big surgery and is waiting for that patient to recover, it’s not “out of sight out of mind” for Waldrup. It keeps her up at night.
With such a passion for investing in her patients’ well-being, she said her biggest challenge has been maintaining a balance between work and home.
“I have two young children, and my family is very important to me,” she said. “I’ve been blessed with four amazing surgical partners who value faith and family like I do.”
Waldrup and her husband are actively involved in their church, Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church, where they have been members of the choir for about 10 years. She’s also on the teaching faculty at Baptist Health System Surgical Residency Program.
To her, it’s a good day when a patient comes back to see her for a different issue or sends a family member to her.
“There is no higher compliment as a physician than to be trusted with taking care of a loved one,” she said.
Sponsored Content.
