Chaya Spigelman, 33, cares about women’s health. Following her own struggles with postpartum depression, Spigelman knew she had to work to help women going through the same things she did.
After growing up in Connecticut and studying in Israel after high school, Spigelman attended Stern College for Women. There, she studied biology and art history.
She then furthered her education through a combined Towson University and CCBC Essex program for physician’s assistants. Spigelman currently works as a PA at Psychiatry for Women, a psychiatry practice focusing on women’s health.
Chaya Spigelman lives in Pikesville and belongs to Congregation Ohel Torah.
What is unique about Psychiatry for Women?
I work with a wonderful doctor, Dr. Julie Brownley, as my collaborating physician. Our practice is pretty unique. We have longer appointments than a lot of other psychiatry practices. We really get to know our patients and take a very holistic, integrative and collaborative approach to care. We specifically focus on women’s issues and how hormones and hormone fluctuations impact a woman’s psyche at various stages in her life.
When did you know you wanted to be a PA?
In college. My husband helped me figure it out, actually. I was initially a general premed student, and I wanted to be a podiatrist. I had done a lot of shadowing in that field, and I felt like it was a good fit for work/life balance. Then, at the encouragement of my husband, I became an EMT. It was through working as an EMT that I got exposure to PAs in New York hospitals. I liked that you get a general medical training, and then you can essentially work in any field of medicine without having to go back to school.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
I would say meaningful interactions with people and having a real sense of purpose, that I’m able to improve people’s lives. Before I worked in psychiatry, I worked in critical care medicine. That was a different kind of rewarding, but looking back on it a lot of what I did in critical care was psychosocial emotional support, both for the patients as much as possible and also for the family members. So, I feel like I got a crash course in counseling from the ICU and then I’ve been able to carry that forward into psychiatric medication management.
Why are you passionate about women in psychiatry, specifically?
I come to it personally from having experienced postpartum depression myself, twice, and not necessarily having had the background to contextualize what was going on. I didn’t recognize that it was depression until after my second child. I just felt like it was something that there needed to be more awareness about and more tailored care for, so that women ideally wouldn’t find themselves in the position that I was; but if they did find themselves there, they would not feel alone and that they could recover as quickly as possible.
What do you like about helping people?
It’s gratifying and rewarding. Most people feel good when they give, and I feel like it’s a form of giving. It’s also great to be able to see people turn around and accomplish their goals in life. I feel like I had a hand in helping them achieve those goals.
How would you describe your relationship to Judaism?
I have a close relationship with Judaism. I feel most connected to Hashem in nature and through prayer. I definitely feel connected through the community aspect of being involved in shul life. All the families and especially the women and others in our community are all very kind, welcoming and open.
In general, through my work, I also feel connected because in the ICU and in psychiatry, we can suggest a certain lifestyle or behavioral change, a certain type of therapy, a certain medicine, but whether or not it works is up to God. Prayer is very integrated in my practice. I’ll absolutely daven for my patients to get better.
Shira Kramer is a freelance writer.
