Britney Bunot, D.O., is an OB-GYN at Beehive Women’s Health in Gunnison, and recipient of the Rural Physicians Loan Repayment Program. Beehive Women’s Health opened in November of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic amid a wave of demand for reproductive health services. Dr. Bunot carries a heavy workload as the sole OB-GYN on staff at this facility, and is proud to be a crucial resource for her region.
“Being part of the community I serve gives me a special relationship with my patients. The sense of community is truly the power and beauty of rural Utah.”
– Dr. Bunot
Many patients within the community have expressed discomfort around seeing a male provider for reproductive health visits and avoided care as a result. Dr. Bunot recalls one patient who hadn’t had a pap smear in several years because of her preference for seeing a female provider, and her CT scan presented findings indicative of cervical malignancy. Within a week of receiving the scans, tests and procedures were performed to prevent further disease progression.
Most of Utah is experiencing a shortage of OB-GYNs, and that is especially true for rural cities like Gunnison. Utah’s Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program is intended to incentivize physicians like Dr. Bunot to serve these high-need areas. For Dr. Bunot, her loan repayment award and community aren’t the only attractions for her to live in Gunnison. “Being connected to the environment is so important. Nature is my backyard. To see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and only have a 4 minute commute to work is priceless,” said Dr. Bunot.
The mission of Gunnison Valley Hospital is to provide high-quality healthcare services to the communities of Central Utah in the most caring, current and efficient manner. Beehive Women’s Health provides the following services: women’s health, wellness and preventative medicine, obstetrics, gynecology.