Excellence in obstetrics should never depend on geography.
For Dr. Norman Connell, that belief is not theoretical — it’s personal. Practicing in the rural South, he has seen firsthand how access gaps and staffing shortages can place women and babies at risk simply because of where they live. In rural communities, immediate access to obstetric care is often rare. However, a single staffing gap or delay in treatment can quickly become deadly, especially in obstetrics where every minute counts.
“Where you live shouldn’t decide the care that you receive,” Dr. Connell says. “If there’s not a physician in the hospital, even a small delay can have catastrophic consequences.”
OBHG’s hospitalist model was designed to solve for exactly that challenge.
Through 24/7 on-site OB/GYN coverage, OBHG ensures that highly skilled clinicians are immediately available, regardless of hospital size or location. By partnering with rural community hospitals and federally qualified health clinics, OBHG brings the same level of care no matter the zip code or geographic location.
“We make sure women from small towns receive the same type of care they would in a large metropolitan area,” Dr. Connell says.
In places like rural Mississippi where Dr. Connell practices, that consistency is transformative. Before OBHG partnerships, many pregnant patients were forced to travel sometimes over an hour just to receive basic prenatal care. At OBHG, answering that challenge is not optional, it’s the expectation.
“The biggest challenge for rural physicians is having enough people on the ground,” he notes. “Patients in small-town Mississippi deserve the same level of care they’d receive in Jacksonville, Florida.”
That commitment is what makes OBHG different. It’s also why working with OBHG has been so meaningful for him. For Dr. Connell, OBHG’s mission is not a slogan. It’s a daily practice, especially in states where maternal health deserts are significant and resources are limited.
“In a state like Mississippi, there aren’t many people coming to the table to try to solve these problems,” he says. “Our company is true to the mission of making sure every woman gets the best care possible.”
Through OBHG’s Maternal Health Access Solutions (MHAS) programs, clinicians are able to bring consistent, high-quality obstetric care to communities that might otherwise lose access altogether. By partnering with rural hospitals and community clinics facing staffing challenges, MHAS programs help ensure women can receive care close to home without long travel times or delayed treatment.
There are a variety of different career paths available, but the expectation at OBHG remains the same across the board: lead when it matters most, and never settle for “good enough” in maternal care.
That’s what elite care looks like in action.
Think you belong among OBHG’s Elite?
OBHG is home to OB/GYN clinicians and leaders who thrive under pressure, lead with purpose, and hold themselves to the highest standards of care. If you’re ready to deliver excellence where it matters most, explore opportunities with OBHG.
→ Learn more about what the elite standard in obstetrics looks like.