Dr. Eduardo Robles – Vision for Future Generations
by Cori Smelker
For some women the idea of using a male obstetrician or gynecologist is anathema. To those women I have a cure, and the cure is three words, “Dr. Eduardo Robles”. Robles has been in practice in the Valley since 2001, but struck out on his own in McAllen in 2005.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Robles initially came to the United States for a year. That year has extended to nine years now, and he has no plans to move anywhere, especially seeing in July 2009 he married and now roots in the McAllen area. Asked why he chose to stay in the Valley rather than moving back to Puerto Rico, or even choosing to live somewhere else in the United States, he said he has found a real sense of community in McAllen. “In many ways this reminds me of Puerto Rico. Well, the summers are hotter here, but the people are in many ways the same. They are friendly and I feel like I fit in here, and I am at home.” Robles was not looking for frenetic, which is why he didn’t choose to move to a large city, but he wanted something that offered more than a small town did, and he found it in McAllen. “McAllen has become the hub of the Valley, with its airport and its cultural activities. Plus the hospital is right here,” Robles says. “I find the pace of life here to be relaxed, but not boring.” He also appreciates the diverse racial and cultural community that he experiences in McAllen.
Robles found his niche in obstetrics and gynecology whilst he was in medical school. “I had planned on being a pediatrician,” he laughs, “Obstetrics and gynecology was my last rotation between my third and fourth year and I realized I had found my passion.” For him, obstetrics and gynecology is the best of all worlds. “My patients come to see me most of the time, not because they are ill, but because they are pregnant. This is a very happy time in their lives and they are generally in really good health.” In fact, he says, some patients take the time they are pregnant to make lifestyle changes that positively impact them after the baby is born. If a patient has an ailment that is outside the realm of his specialty then he can refer her to the pertinent specialist. The best part for him though is the fact that there is variety in the practice. “I get do some surgeries as well, something I really enjoy doing.” For that reason alone, he loves the gynecological part of his practice.
“Many people make the mistake of lumping obstetrics and gynecology together. I hear women say all the time, ‘I am seeing my OB/gyn today.’ While many of us do specialize in both, they are separate disciplines.” Obstetrics deals with pregnancy and the delivery of the baby. Gynecologists treat women and their reproductive systems, but they are also concerned with women’s menstrual problems, disorders of pelvic organs, infertility, or cancer of the reproductive organs. Robles is both obstetrician and gynecologist.
Another aspect Robles enjoys about his practice is the relationship he develops with his patients. ‘In some ways I become their confidante. This is definitely not a ‘one treatment plan fits all’ practice, and I work with each patient as an individual.” He will make recommendations and listen to the patient’s concerns patiently. One area his patients have really appreciated his input is in the area of the birth itself. “I find more and more women want to try and schedule the date of their delivery, not for selfish reasons, but for practical ones.” He weighs his patient’s desires against her medical background and history and will help her come up with a plan. “I am not opposed to an elective cesarean, if I believe she is the right candidate for it. For some women the fear of the pain of labor is enough to scare her more than the idea of a c-section. In those cases, I might be more likely to allow her to have an elective c-section because I want to ensure that her health and wellbeing is promoted, as well as that of her newborn.”
Even though his patients are happy, not every day is a rah-rah day, because tragedy can and does occasionally occur. It is in those rare cases that Roble’s true compassion for his patients comes into play. “Those times are never easy,” Robles says quietly, “But I believe my presence there is a calming one because my patients trust me and I have built a relationship with them over the previous few months.”
It is indeed rare to find a doctor who loves and honors his patients — Dr. Eduardo Robles is that rare jewel — a man who has taken his love medicine, integrated it with his work ethic and offers the polished result to his patients.
