ORANGE — Madrid, anyone? That's where Dr. Faith Whittier lived during her Junior High and High School years, following a move from her home in California when she was 12. Spain may be a long way from Orange, Texas, but for a seasoned traveler like Dr. Whittier, the 2 are not so different.

"Every place you live or visit, no matter how different, presents a unique set of challenges, as well as intrinsic value to its residents," said Dr. Whittier.

Dr. Whittier has been practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology in Orange since June 2010, when she relocated from Houston.

"I'm not afraid of moving - I like the adventure. After 12 years in a private practice in one of the largest cities in America, my boys and I were ready for a change of pace," said Whittier.

She is raising her 2 boys, ages 7 and 11, in Bridge City, where they spend most of their time fishing and playing sports.

Dr. Whittier received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California in San Diego. She was interested in pursuing psychology further within the discipline of medicine, so she completed a Post-Baccalaureate degree at Columbia University in New York. Upon completion of the 2-year program, she decided she did enjoy the field of medicine – she liked the hands-on interaction with patients – so she went on to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she received her Medical Degree.

“One of my favorite things I do in my job each day is interact with patients. I still get to utilize my psychology training, and then when I combine it with the physical practice of medicine, I feel like it perfectly pulls together my skills and interests,” said Whittier.

In her first year of medical school, Dr. Whittier was paired with an expectant mother, and she was instructed to follow this woman throughout her pregnancy, to continue treating her post-partum, as well as to handle the pediatric care of her baby. This process is what inspired her to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Whittier also had the unique opportunity to work in the burn center in Cleveland during her medical school career.

“It was a very eye-opening experience, watching patients go through this process. It really helped me learn how to deal with patients in stressful situations, and to be able to connect with them,” said Whittier.

Dr. Whittier remained in Cleveland for her internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, and then moved to Houston for the residency program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston. It was here that she opened her 1st private practice, and remained there until last year, when the administrator of Baptist Orange Hospital approached her about relocating.

Since that time, she has been busy re-establishing an obstetrical presence in Orange, and has already made quite a name for herself with her patients. Dr. Whittier will see all Ob/Gyn patients from pre-teens to adults, and is skilled in a wide variety of procedures including ablations and high-risk obstetrics. She is also able to help women overcome issues with incontinence, and uses the most modern techniques for less invasive procedures such as those for sterilization.

Though Dr. Whittier has made her home in Orange, she hasn’t given up on her passion for travel. She admits she had to largely put her trips on hold while her boys were small, but she is now looking forward to experiencing new cultures together with them.

“I’ve been to a lot of places – Europe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean – but there are so many places I still want to go. My real dream is to combine my love for travel with my love of medicine. I’d like to take some trips to countries that could use some outside medical help. And it would be a great lesson for my sons about giving back. That’s what it’s really all about,” said Whittier.