Dr. Candace Westgate is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, along with additional certification in Women’s Genomics Counseling from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She earned her medical degree from A. T. Still University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and continued on to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, where she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, serving as Chief Resident in her final year. Dr. Westgate is the Medical Director of Women and Infant Services and Adventist Health St. Helena, and the founder of the Adventist Health Early All-Around Detection (AHEAD) Team. Her scope of practice includes Women’s health, Cancer risk assessment and gynecology care and surgical intervention, including major and minor gynecological procedures, with an emphasis on all procedures using minimally invasive techniques.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a physician?
Not until I moved to the US in 1999 at the age of 18 and realized the opportunities that I had to be ANYTHING. My story is “a true American Dream success story” with hard work and taking advantage of the amazing opportunities that presented themselves I was able to dream about something that had once felt like an impossible goal – becoming a physician.
Q: How did you select your specialty?
That was a hard one. I didn’t decide until the last 6 months of my 4th year of medical school. I loved primary and preventative care, I loved pediatrics, I loved surgery → AND OBGYN helped me put it all together in women’s health.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Wishing that there were more hours in the day to help more patients optimize their health and prevent suffering.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Being a part of a women’s health journey. Helping to optimize their wellbeing.
Q: When you aren’t at work, where might we find you?
Throwing, kicking or catching a ball. I love sports and having an 8 year old son keeps me actively engaged in activities.
Q: Favorite guilty pleasure.
Popcorn and Lime Tostito Chips 🙂 My son and husband wrap the chips up for me as a birthday and Christmas present every year 🙂 (salty crunchy is my down fall)
Q: What is your most marked physical characteristic?
My red hair and South African accent.
Q: What is your most marked Characteristic?
Optimism
Q: What quality do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty and communication.
Q: What’s the most common misperception about anorectal health?
That it is something separate from vaginal health.
Q: What’s one thing you wish all your patients would do for their health?
Sleep more and optimize sleep quality but a close second is to decrease processed food/sugar intake.
Q: Last song played on your Spotify playlist?
Happier by Marshmello and Bastille
Q: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Living in the moment and being content with the good and the bad.