What is a Pap Smear Procedure?

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Laura Leslie Hill is an active participant in community organizations such as the Siloam Springs Heritage League. Professionally, Laura Leslie Hill oversees philanthropic efforts of the Siloam Springs Women’s Center.

Since 1998, Siloam Springs Women’s Center has provided care for women of all ages in the Siloam Springs region of Arkansas. With three doctors in addition to skilled support staff and Advanced Nurse Practitioners, the center offers service in three core areas; wellness and prevention, obstetrics, and gynecology.

Gynecology services at the center range from cancer screening and contraceptives to colposcopy and LEEP procedures following abnormal pap smears. A pap smear refers to a routine examination of the cervix in which material is gently removed and tested for precancerous or cancer cells. The test is a regular part of wellness checkups for women beginning in their 20s but is recommended more often for women who are HIV-positive or have a weak immune system.

The Artosphere Festival

Along with her husband, Laura Leslie Hill founded the Siloam Springs Women’s Center after moving to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, two decades ago. Among her other administrative duties, she spearheads the Women’s Center’s regional and national philanthropic initiatives. One of the organizations that has benefited from Laura Leslie Hill’s efforts is the Walton Arts Center.

A performing arts center located near the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, the Walton Arts Center regularly sponsors a range of shows and events. To recognize the work of artists who explore themes of nature and sustainability, the organization presents the Artosphere Festival on an annual basis.

The 8th Annual Artosphere Festival took place from May 4 to May 20, 2017, at the Walton Arts Center and other locations throughout Northwest Arkansas. Highlights of the Festival include three performances from the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, an ensemble that consisted of more than 90 musicians from symphonies and classical music programs from around the world. Artosphere also sponsored a Chapel Music Series at local churches and an outdoor Trail Mix Weekend that invited attendees to hike or bike to and from various art exhibits and performances.

Siloam Springs Women's Center Prenatal Care

Laura Leslie Hills guides the Siloam Springs Women's Center obstetrics and gynecology clinic. Under the leadership of Laura Leslie Hill and her husband Dr. Chad Hill, the Siloam Springs Women's Center has been able to support Siloam Springs Regional Hospital with an increased number of baby deliveries each year.

Siloam Springs Women's Center provides extensive prenatal care, guiding women as to when they should see their doctor and what steps should be taken at the pregnancy's various stages. Between seven and eight weeks into a pregnancy, pregnant women should start with a pre-OB appointment, in which background information is collected and bloodwork is performed. The pre-OB appointment is also an opportunity to ask any questions one might have about being pregnant.

The first OB appointment comes between 9 and 12 weeks into the pregnancy, and includes lab results from the previous visit and additional care planning. After this, the patient has periodic checkups every 4 weeks until the 28-week mark. Then, the frequency of visits increases to once every 3 weeks, and after 36 weeks, visits are weekly. This ensures that any potential issues with the pregnancy are responded to in a prompt and effective manner.

Things to Know Ahead of Your First OB/GYN Visit

Laura Leslie Hill studied biology at the University of Arkansas and dental hygiene at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Prior to taking on her current responsibilities as co-owner of the Siloam Springs Women’s Center OB/GYN clinic, Laura Leslie Hill spent a decade as a full-time dental hygienist.

For young women, the first trip to an OB/GYN clinic can be intimidating. First and foremost, adolescents and teenagers should understand that feeling anxious or uncomfortable ahead of a visit is completely normal. It can be helpful to discuss these feelings with parents, friends, the obstetrician, or another medical professional.

It may also be beneficial to learn about the kinds of discussions and examinations that may take place at an OB/GYN clinic. The first visit often involves a talk between patient and doctor that covers a number of somewhat sensitive topics, including the patient’s sexual activity and the details of her menstrual cycle. Prior to talking with doctors, patients might find it comforting to discuss which aspects of their conversation can be kept confidential.

General and external genital exams are the most common at an OB/GYN clinic, particularly during an early visit. Later, an OB/GYN is likely to perform a more thorough pelvic examination. Patients should feel free to ask a guardian or friend to accompany them during any exam. Nurses at an OB/GYN clinic can also provide support for the duration of exams.

Benefits of Youth Sports

Alongside her husband, Laura Leslie Hill operates the Siloam Springs Women's Center OB/GYN clinic. Laura Leslie Hill has led the practice's philanthropic efforts as well, donating thousands of dollars to Siloam Springs High School programs, including the cross country, basketball, volleyball, and track teams.

Youth sport programs like these provide several benefits to those who participate in them in a rigorous, continuous manner. In addition to the fitness benefits they receive by staying active, children develop social and emotional skills that help them in the long term. Team sports like basketball and volleyball give children more opportunities to interact with their peers, and the mutual pursuit of a common goal can help them develop teamwork and leadership skills. Friendships built in sports can also last a lifetime.

Further, according to the Australian Sports Commission, young people who participate in sports are less likely to engage in criminal activity. The reduction of unsupervised, unaccompanied time also helps reduce the risk of behaviors like smoking, drinking, and drug use.

Siloam Springs Women’s Center - Providing Comprehensive OB/GYN Care

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Laura Leslie Hill holds both a BS in biology and a BS in dental hygiene. Laura Leslie Hill and her husband co-own and operate the Siloam Springs Women’s Center in Arkansas. 

The only full-time OB/GYN clinic in the Siloam Springs community, the Siloam Springs Women’s Center provides comprehensive care to women of all ages. The center’s three physicians, Chad Hill, MD, S. Kyle Thompson, DO, and Natalie Eiland, DO, lead a team of clerical and clinical staff, including advanced nurse practitioners. 

The center provides mammograms and annual wellness exams, including pap smears and pelvic exams. Also offering care for women in their menopausal years, the center addresses issues such as incontinence and urinary frequency, in addition to providing counseling on hormone replacement therapy as needed. 

The physicians at Siloam Springs Women’s Center also offer urogynecology care. This OB/GYN subspecialty deals with pelvic floor disorders, such as prolapse of the bladder or uterus and vagina. The center provides several treatment options for these disorders, which are believed to be effects of aging and childbirth.

To learn more about Siloam Springs Women’s Center, visit www.siloamwomenscenter.com.

Walden Arts Center - Upcoming Cultural Events

A graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Laura Leslie Hill holds both a bachelor of science in biology and a bachelor of science in dental hygiene. She now leads the philanthropic efforts of Siloam Springs Women’s Center OB/GYN clinic, which she co-owns with her husband, Chad Hill, MD. Through the center, Laura Leslie Hill allocates donations to a wide variety of charitable organizations, including the Walden Arts Center. 

Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Walden Arts Center hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year. The following are a few upcoming events in 2017:

- Art of Wine: Uncorked. Scheduled for June 9, this summer event will take place in Baum Walker Hall and will feature tastings of more than 400 wines from various regions around the globe as well as food from fine local restaurants.

- Jane Monheit: The Ella Fitzgerald Centennial Celebration. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ella Fitzgerald’s birth, Long Island native Jane Monheit will perform songs from her latest album, a tribute to Fitzgerald. The celebration will take place on June 23.

- Motown: The Musical. Featuring more than 40 classic Motown songs, Motown: The Musical tells the story of Berry Gordy and his transformation from boxer to musical giant. Also touching upon the early careers of such stars as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson, the show will run from June 27 through July 2.