Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisbeth Roy.
Lisbeth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was the experience of walking with my son through a 10-year illness that inspired me to do what I do. I lost my son when he lost his battle at age 23. Few physicians understand the pervasiveness of illness and the daily challenges that the sick and their families face. I know that one of the rarest and valuable gifts is to have a medical provider who is a resource to you in ways that are fundamental to your quality of life; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Health challenges come in all different forms and require collaboration with a trusted partner.
My experience as a physician has helped me to understand the ways in which our healthcare system fails us. It is my experience as a mother of a sick kid that has taught me how to be a healer and a confidant to my patients. To Know that the relationship between patient and physician can be powerful medicine. I found myself looking for ways to help my son live his best life. Those “ways” were found in food, mediation, love, and support. Medications and the fear with which the medical community interacted with “us” were toxic and yet unavoidable.
I vowed to be a partner with my patients and to suspend the expectation that I was supposed to have all the answers. I realized that the healing started when there was a sincere desire to “know” my patient and to understand their struggles without ego but rather with an openness that allows collaboration and non-judgment.
I developed a strong interest in sexual medicine because I feel comfortable being with the vulnerability that patients feel when they are unable to function fully. The challenges that are associated with sexual dysfunction are many and are both physical and emotional. Problems with sexual function challenge the deepest way we feel about our selves, our contribution, and our worth. Sexual dysfunction leads to an erosion of intimacy that affects couples, families and even communities. My training in functional and regenerative medicine allows me to understand the cellular and the physiologic mechanisms by which sexual problems can and do occur. It is with this understanding that I am able to apply many tools to develop a treatment protocol and ultimately a solution.
The compassion and respect that I have for my patients is derived from their willingness to be vulnerable in search of a solution to their sexual challenges. The focus of the conversation is typically centered around the “rejection” that their partner feels and the fear of losing the closeness and intimacy that keep most couples together. One realizes quickly how important sex and intimacy really is to a fulfilling and loving relationship. And the pain and sometimes guilt and shame that is felt when we cannot participate fully.
The practice of sexual medicine allows me to delve deeply into the overall health and wellness of my patient since sexual dysfunction is a symptom of an underlying problem and not a disease. When the problem is physical it can be an early warning to a serious health issue that when caught early, can improve the quality and longevity of one’s life.
All systems of the body are involved with sexual arousal, sexual response and sexual satisfaction. A proper evaluation takes into consideration the nervous system, circulatory system, neuroendocrine system and musculoskeletal system so that a root cause of the problem can be found and a complete rehabilitation made possible. Treatment protocols are designed to include regenerative therapies such as stem-cell, platelet-rich plasma, pulse wave, and radio frequency therapies. There is sometimes a need to balance hormones, strengthen muscles and usually an opportunity to make diet and lifestyle changes to support wellness.
I find it very rewarding to help people achieve their goals, restore their confidence and to see couples regain the closeness and excitement they once had for each other. I also feel that the symptom of sexual dysfunction is an opportunity for physicians to guide and empower patients to take control of their health and wellness.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a rough road and yet one that continued to lead me to my purpose.
I started college as a single mom age 27 with the dream of becoming a doctor. My son was 7 years old with an active life of his own. I was the first of my family to attend college. I worked and supported “us” while attending school full-time and meeting all the demands of a “pre-med” academic expectation.
As with many aspiring students, I did not get into medical school the first time I applied. I found myself with a rare privilege of learning the business of medicine as an administrative member of a large hospital system. The experience was impactful and one that has helped me, as a physician, to understand how to protect myself from the healthcare system.
It was during my 1st year of medical school that my beautiful 12-year-old son, Liam, started having seizures and showed signs of developing dementia. By the time I was in my 2nd year, Liam was in the thralls of what would be a 10-year battle resulting in the loss of his youthful freedoms and his life.
Liam and I left the life as we knew it to move to Florida from Maine and to do all we could to thrive with the remaining time he had left. I resumed my medical training at Florida Hospital in East Orlando and Liam worked diligently to finish high school in Winter Haven.
Once graduating medical school I stayed on at Florida Hospital to complete my internship. At the end of my intern year, I made the decision to take what I thought would be a 1-year break from residency. I knew that Liam’s life was limited and I wanted to be as much a part of it as possible.
I opened my first private practice in Tampa Florida, started the “mothers journey” of finding the resources that Liam needed and began building a life. My studies in Functional Medicine began as I came to realize that my gift was to help people connect to their wellness and to empower them to make a commitment to do what is necessary to improve their state and to live well. It is in the application of functional medicine that I find my purpose and that I make the most impact.
It was upon the advice of my medical attending that I do not return to the family practice residency that I had left. They knew that my path was clear and that may need to live close to my son was a priority. I went on to grow a very healthy practice while I watched my son become less and less able.
Liam died 9.23.2009. I closed my practice in Tampa 10.1.2009 and I moved to S. Florida shortly thereafter. I found it necessary to retreat in my grief and to redefine myself. I had been “Liam’s Mom” since I was 20 years old. It was necessary for me to start a life without him.
I have been working and growing and clarifying my role for the last many years. I have learned to be open, present, resilient and flexible. I take the strength I have developed and the Grace that my son taught me into every day and I do the best that I possibly can; not always right and not always good enough but always with my best effort and intention.
Recovery from the grief of losing a child is a constant process and one that requires daily effort and frequent forgiveness. I know that Liam’s life and his struggle have made me a better doctors. I also know that losing him has made me fearless and allows me to be “in pursuit” of whatever I feel is next.
The business of medicine requires fearlessness most of the time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My team and I care deeply about people struggling with sexual dysfunction. We strive to create a safe and respectful environment while we work to understand the underlying problem(s) causing the symptom of erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.
I am known for being thorough in my investigation and creative in my treatment strategy. I have a keen eye for “what is on the horizon” in terms of science and innovation.
I am most proud of the integrity with which we work to help people and the level of service we provide. I teach and share with my colleagues in the spirit of collaboration with the sole focus being the “best patient outcome”. Everything I “do” I run through my ethics first and business model only after it passes my ethics criteria.
The way that I dig deep to find the root cause of the problem and get creative in designing a plan to fix the root cause is what I am known for. My approachability and commitment to being “at-service” are what sets me apart.
What were you like growing up?
I was a simple, hardworking and adventurous kid. I was someone who spent time alone exploring and thinking but never stopped moving. I played sports and did ok in school but I was most interested in working.
I showed entrepreneurial tendencies from early on. I had several paper routes, mowed lawns and shoveled driveways since age 11. I was making telephone sales calls for a neighborhood insurance agent by the time I was 13 and held 2 jobs all through high school.
I loved the thrill of building a “process” and organizing the effort. I was a natural leader and an early achiever, yet very much outside of any spotlight.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2595 NW Boca Raton Blvd., STE 200
Boca Raton, FL 33431 - Website: DoctorsStudio.com
- Phone: 561-444-7751
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorsstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LisbethRoyDO/reviews/?ref=page_internal
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisbethroydo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/writeareview/biz/W4SG4oWAgvnqcAhN3nEJrA?return_url=%2Fbiz%2FW4SG4oWAgvnqcAhN3nEJrA
- Other: https://plus.google.com/+DoctorsStudioBocaRaton
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