Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea has welcomed a new OB-GYN to its practice this week.

Heidi Gaston had worked at the Austin clinic since July, before transferring over to the Albert Lea office, which is closer to her hometown of Glenville.

“I’ve always kind of wanted to be back in this area,” Gaston said. “I have family that still lives here, and I’ve always wanted to be near family again.”

Gaston spent 12 years away from that family during her training but participated in a month-long rotation through the facility when it was known as the Albert Lea Medical Center. She worked with OB-GYN Stephen Thorn when she was a third-year medical student.

“I really enjoyed it,” Gaston said of that time. “I loved the practice. I loved the patient population.”

She noted as a result of the rotation it was always in the back of her mind that perhaps it would work out for her to return to the facility.

She is very grateful for the opportunity.

“I think it’s great,” Gaston said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for discussion with colleagues about things that you’re seeing and helping take care of and always room for growth and continued learning.”

She said the people she has worked with at both facilities have been wonderful, welcoming and treat both their colleagues and their patients with the utmost respect, which is something she genuinely appreciates.

Prior to starting with Mayo Clinic Health System, Gaston finished her OB-GYN residency at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

She said one thing that drew her to the OB-GYN specialty was the opportunity for continuity of care.

“I really like the idea of establishing a patient base and then being able to follow them through all of the milestones of their female reproductive and post-reproductive years,” Gaston said. “I think that is something that is somewhat unique in that I know that I’m going to be here for a long time, so I can look forward to establishing that lifelong relationship with patients.”

Gaston attended college at the University of Notre Dame where she majored in psychology and pre-medicine. She participated in the marching band and met her husband, Sean, while attending the university.

Upon graduation the couple moved to Kirksville, Missouri, where she went to medical school at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Genesys Regional Medical Center was her last stop before returning to the area.

Since moving back to the area, the couple has started to build a new home in Glenville on an acreage once owned by Gaston’s great-great-grandparents. Her husband has also returned to work as a teacher after taking some time off to take care of their children, Jackson, 4, and Isabelle, 1. He teaches world history classes and will be one of the coaches for the Albert Lea baseball team.

“We’re looking forward to becoming more involved with the community as things progress for us here, and we get that opportunity,” Gaston said.

Gaston specializes in adolescent health, general obstetrics and gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, family planning and diagnosing and treating pelvic pain.

To schedule an appointment with Gaston call 507-668-2131.