Important Update on Prescription Refill Requests​ Effective February 9, 2026

We want to make prescription refills as safe, accurate, and efficient as possible for our patients.

Effective February 9, 2026, Covington Women’s Health Specialists will no longer refill prescriptions requested directly through pharmacies. This change helps ensure we are responding to requests that come directly from you and have the most up-to-date information about your care.

Please use one of the following options to request a prescription refill:

  • Let your provider know during your appointment
  • Send us a secure message through MyChart
  • Call our office at 770-385-8954

Requests submitted through these channels allow our team to verify the request, review your chart, and respond as efficiently as possible.

Thank you for helping us streamline this process and for continuing to trust us with your care. If you have questions about this update, our team is happy to help.

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Covington Women’s Health Specialists

Advanced Care Focused on Faster Recovery and Women’s Well-Being

When gynecologic surgery becomes necessary, most women want the same thing: effective treatment with the least disruption to their lives. At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, that goal is central to how care is delivered.

Dr. Cathy Larrimore and Dr. Sherley Samuels both perform minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, offering women advanced surgical options designed to reduce pain, shorten recovery time, and support a quicker return to everyday activities.

What Is Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) refers to surgical techniques that avoid large abdominal incisions. Instead, surgeons use small incisions, natural body openings, and advanced technology to treat gynecologic conditions with precision and care.

For patients, minimally invasive surgery often means:

  • Less post-operative pain
  • Shorter hospital stays (often same-day discharge)
  • Minimal or no visible scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Earlier return to work, family, and daily routines

At our practice, minimally invasive surgery is not just about technology — it’s about providing thoughtful, individualized care that prioritizes healing and quality of life.

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Procedures at Covington Women’s Health Specialists

Dr. Larrimore and Dr. Samuels offer a range of minimally invasive gynecologic surgical options, carefully selecting the approach that best fits each patient’s medical needs and personal goals.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through very small incisions using enhanced visualization and precision. The robotic system is fully controlled by the physician, allowing for careful, controlled movements in delicate surgical areas.

Robotic Hysterectomy

Robotic hysterectomy is a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery option for removing the uterus and is especially beneficial for women with:

  • Uterine fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Prior abdominal surgeries
  • More complex pelvic anatomy

Patients often experience less blood loss, reduced pain, and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

Robotic Myomectomy

A myomectomy is a gynecologic surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus. This option is often important for women who wish to maintain fertility or keep their uterus for personal or medical reasons.

Using robotic-assisted technology, fibroids can be removed with enhanced precision through small incisions, allowing careful reconstruction of the uterus. At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, advanced robotic techniques allow some women with large fibroids—who might otherwise require a large abdominal incision—to have their fibroids removed through minimally invasive surgery instead.

This approach often results in less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker return to normal activities compared to traditional open surgery.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery uses a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny abdominal incisions. This versatile approach is commonly used to:

  • Treat endometriosis
  • Remove ovarian cysts
  • Address chronic pelvic pain
  • Perform hysterectomies when appropriate

Most patients return home the same day and resume light activities within a short period of time.

Transvaginal Hysterectomy: The Original Minimally Invasive Approach

While newer technologies continue to advance surgical care, transvaginal (vaginal) hysterectomy remains one of the most important minimally invasive gynecologic surgery options. In fact, it is the oldest form of minimally invasive hysterectomy and continues to be highly effective for many women.

Performed entirely through the vagina with no abdominal incisions, transvaginal hysterectomy offers:

  • No visible scars
  • Short hospital stays
  • Less post-operative discomfort
  • Faster overall recovery

At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, this time-tested technique is carefully considered alongside newer approaches to ensure the best outcome for each patient.

Hysteroscopic Procedures

Hysteroscopy involves passing a thin camera through the cervix to diagnose and treat conditions inside the uterus—without any incisions. This minimally invasive technique is often used for:

  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Removal of uterine polyps
  • Evaluation of fertility concerns

Recovery is typically rapid, allowing patients to return to normal activities quickly.

A Thoughtful, Patient-Centered Surgical Approach

At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, Dr. Samuels and Dr. Larrimore share a commitment to:

  • Choosing the least invasive and safest gynecologic surgical option whenever possible
  • Educating patients about their choices
  • Individualizing care plans
  • Supporting faster healing and long-term well-being

By combining modern robotic techniques with proven traditional minimally invasive approaches, Covington Women’s Health Specialists offers comprehensive gynecologic surgical care that is both innovative and grounded in experience.

Supporting Women Through Surgery and Recovery

Surgery can feel overwhelming, but the right approach can make a meaningful difference. Through minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, Covington Women’s Health Specialists helps women move forward with confidence—healing faster, experiencing less pain, and returning to their normal lives sooner.

Understanding your options is an important step in your care journey. We are here to support our patients every step of the way with expertise, compassion, and a focus on what matters most: their health and quality of life.

If you’ve been advised to consider surgery or are experiencing symptoms that may require evaluation, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. Call our office or request an appointment online to discuss your options and learn whether minimally invasive surgery may be right for you.

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Welcomes Certified Nurse Midwife DeeDee Carr to Our Team

Covington Women’s Health Specialists is pleased to welcome Margery “DeeDee” Carr, CNM, a certified nurse midwife with more than 20 years of experience in women’s health and maternity care, to our practice.

DeeDee provides full-scope midwifery services, including prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and gynecologic care. She has extensive experience caring for both low- and high-risk pregnancies and works closely with physicians and multidisciplinary care teams to support safe, evidence-based, and individualized care. Known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, DeeDee prioritizes building trusting relationships and empowering patients through education and shared decision-making.

DeeDee earned her nursing degrees from Clayton State College and later completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Midwifery from Philadelphia University. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and is committed to lifelong learning and excellence in midwifery practice.

Outside of work, DeeDee enjoys performing on the theatre stage throughout the Atlanta area. She is married and has two daughters.

Learn more about DeeDee Carr, CNM.

Transgender & Gender Diverse Patient Inclusion at Covington Women’s Health

A message from Drs. Cathy Larrimore, Sherley Samuels, and Meridith Farrow in response to hurtful comments on our recent transgender awareness post.

At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, we welcome all individuals in need of obstetrics and gynecological services. We see you and want to help you live your best and healthiest lives!

So, what does inclusion mean to us? It means that we will not exclude any individual from our care and we welcome people of all races, faiths, walks of life when they are in need of obstetrics or gynecologic care. This includes the transgender and gender diverse communities.

Gender dysphoria, the medical condition that effects these communities, is defined by The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as, “distress that accompanies the incongruence between one’s experienced and expressed gender and one’s assigned or natal gender.” The healthcare providers and staff at Covington Women’s Health Specialists are committed to not adding to the possible discomfort of these individuals by excluding them from our care. 

Here are some examples of the important medical care transgender and gender diverse patients need.

  1. Common problems like heavy periods effect many individuals. Every day we offer these individuals medical treatments and surgeries to help address this challenging condition. Can you imagine how extremely distressing and bothersome heavy periods can be for a person living life as a man? Our neighbors who were assigned female sex at birth and are now living their lives as men deserve the same chance for heavy period treatments as our neighbors living their lives as women.  In other words, the same chance for a happy life as you have.
  2. Cervical cancer kills.  Our fellow citizens who were assigned female gender at birth and are now living their lives as men deserve the same screening for cervical cancer as our fellow citizens living their lives as women. In other words, the same chance for a healthy life as you have.
  3. Many of us are parents and feel that having children enhances our lives. Men who were assigned female sex at birth may consult a gynecologist about infertility treatment. Because some transmen who were assigned female sex at birth want to be parents as grown ups, just like many of you. These men deserve the same chance to be parents as other women who face infertility. 
  4. Our patients who are living their lives as men but were assigned female sex at birth need and deserve healthcare just like you do for basic screening, problem visits, and complex problems. Please realize that although they are different from you, this community deserves the same access to healthcare. 
  5. Specialty practices, such as plastic surgery and endocrinology, are available to treat people with gender dysphoria allowing them to transition to the people who they are inside.  Hormone therapy is guided by trained endocrinologists.  Surgeries can be expensive, and many transmen have not had such procedures, but even if they have had gender affirming surgery such as breast removal, gynecologic care may still be necessary. 
  6. The majority of  gynecology patients are individuals assigned female sex at birth. However, there are times when gynecologists treat biological men such as prescribing medication to treat sexually transmitted infections in compliance with the Georgia state law that allows this to protect our primary patients and pregnant patients.  And testing or treating for infertility and inheritable diseases if we are treating their partner and there is a need to test or treat them.  These encounters never include physical examinations beyond vital signs.

Members of the transgender and gender diverse community live among us, and they have always been here! We believe it’s important to treat them with the same compassions and care as any other member of our community.

The comments that circulated in response to our recent transgender awareness post were hurtful–to this team, our colleagues, our staff and to many of our patients and neighbors. Please consider our words. Oppressing people will not elevate you. Happiness is infectious, bitterness is ugly. Do to others what you would have them do to you.

-Drs. Cathy Larrimore, Sherley Samuels, and Meridith Farrow

Continuing the Fight Against Breast Cancer with Strength and Positivity

Our Patient’s Inspiring Journey of Courage and Gratitude

While October may have been Breast Cancer Awareness Month, at Covington Women’s Health Specialists, our commitment to supporting women fighting breast cancer continues all year long. This November, we’re especially thankful for our patient, Katelyn Jackson, whose courage, positivity, and grace inspire us every day.

Katelyn’s journey began unexpectedly. After waking up one morning with soreness and noticing a knot in her right breast, she became extremely concerned and reached out to our team right away. “Covington Women’s Health Specialists got me in really quick,” Katelyn shared. “They asked lots of questions, sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound, and even reached out afterward to check on me and answer any questions I had. They even hosted a ‘Pink Out’ night at Piedmont Academy and covered the cheerleaders’ pink socks, bows, and pom poms!”

Since her diagnosis, Katelyn has undergone weekly chemotherapy treatments. The journey hasn’t been easy, but her positivity shines through. “Having a positive mindset has been the best thing for me,” she said. “Sharing my journey makes me feel loved and lifts me up when I have bad days. My family, friends, and fiancé, Joseph, have been my biggest support system. Joseph even shaved my head for me and keeps me laughing through it all.”

Katelyn hopes her story reminds others of the importance of self-exams and mammograms even for women without a family history of breast cancer. “It only takes a few minutes to catch it early and take care of yourself,” she said. “Listen to your body!”

Despite the challenges, Katelyn’s experience has changed her outlook on life and health for the better. “This experience has humbled me,” she shared. “It’s made me want to eat healthier, drink more water, and take care of myself and my family. Even losing my hair has brought me joy, because if sharing that part of my story helps someone else stay positive, it’s worth it.”

As she continues her treatments, we’re cheering Katelyn on every step of the way. Her bravery is a powerful reminder that breast cancer awareness and support extend far beyond one month of the year. If you are interested in supporting Katelyn’s journey, learn more here: Give In Kind – Breast Believe: Katelyn’s Strong

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Acetaminophen Statement

Acetaminophen remains a safe, trusted option for pain relief and fever during pregnancy.

From the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology website:

“ACOG reaffirms the safety and benefits of acetaminophen use during pregnancy. More than 2 decades of research have found no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children. Acetaminophen continues to be an important and safe option for managing pain and fever in pregnancy – conditions that can pose serious risks to pregnant patients and their fetuses if left untreated.”

Please feel free to discuss the use of acetaminophen with our highly skilled and educated providers to make the most informed decision regarding your care.

Welcome, Dr. Anju Sinha to Our Team!

Covington Women’s Health Specialists is proud to welcome Anju Sinha, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN to our practice.

Dr. Anju Sinha provides compassionate and comprehensive OB/GYN care for women of all ages. She earned her medical degree from Magadh University, Nalanda Medical College in Patna, India, where she graduated as valedictorian. She went on to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

Throughout her career, Dr. Sinha has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and contributions to women’s health. Her honors include the 2019 Distinguished Community Faculty Member Award from the Southeast Georgia Regional Campus, Medical College of Georgia, and the 2016–2017 Exemplary Teaching Award from the Medical College of Georgia. Earlier in her career, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Best Scientific Paper from the Bihar Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology in India.

In addition to caring for her patients, Dr. Sinha enjoys painting, sketching, playing the sitar, and cooking.

Meet Our OBGYN Hospitalists

A Vital Part of Your Care Team at Covington Women’s Health Specialists

Whether you’re visiting us in the office or receiving care in the hospital, your health is our top priority at Covington Women’s Health Specialists. That’s why we’re proud to have a dedicated team of OBGYN hospitalists who specialize in caring for our patients during hospital stays.

What is a hospitalist?

Hospitalists are providers who work exclusively in the hospital setting. They do not see patients in the office. Instead, they focus on delivering expert care to patients during hospital admissions, which includes labor and delivery, surgical recovery, or emergency OB care. This set-up gives our other providers more time to care for their patients during their office visits while ensuring our hospitalized patients receive seamless, round-the-clock care.

This set-up gives our other providers more time to care for their patients during office visits while ensuring our hospitalized patients receive seamless, round-the-clock care. Importantly, both Dr. Larrimore and Dr. Samuels will continue to see and treat patients in the hospital as well. The addition of hospitalists simply allows them to dedicate even more time and focus to the patients they serve in the office.

Why hospitalists matter

Our OBGYN hospitalists play a critical role in maintaining continuity of care. They work closely with your regular OB provider to keep them informed, manage any hospital-based concerns, and ensure a smooth transition back to outpatient care after discharge. Their work leads to improved communication, better outcomes, and more comprehensive care for you.

Equally important, our hospitalists are deeply connected to this community. Many of them are familiar faces you may see around town, and they are personally invested in making sure patients here receive the very best care. Their commitment goes beyond the hospital walls because they care for you as neighbors, friends, and fellow members of our community.

Meet the hospitalists who are part of our Covington Women’s Health team:

Want to hear more from our team directly?

Watch this short video getting to know Drs. Farrow and Delp. They share what it means to be a OBGYN hospitalist and how they care for patients in the hospital:

Our entire team is here for you!

As always, your health matters to us, whether you’re in our office or in the hospital. Call 770-385-8590 or request an appointment online to see one of our OB providers and get the care you deserve. Our team of experienced providers offers the highest quality care at every step of your health journey.

Welcome Dr. Yolonda M. Smith to Our Team!

Covington Women’s Health Specialists is proud to welcome Yolonda M. Smith, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN with more than 20 years of experience, to our practice.

A metro Atlanta native, Dr. Smith practiced privately for 15 years before transitioning into her role as an OB hospitalist, similar to Drs. Meredith Delp and Meridith Farrow. Even if she is not your regular office provider, Dr. Smith works closely with your OB to ensure seamless communication, compassionate care, and the best possible outcomes.

Over her career, she has delivered more than 2,500 babies and is highly skilled in managing high-risk pregnancies, obstetric care, and emergency gynecologic surgeries. Patients know Dr. Smith for her compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys giving back to the community through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, as well as traveling, cheering on football, and diving into the world of Harry Potter.

We are excited for our patients to meet Dr. Smith and benefit from her experience and dedication to women’s health.

Welcome Back, Dr. Michelle D. White!

We are thrilled to welcome back Michelle D. White, MD to Covington Women’s Health Specialists. Dr. White joined our practice in 2015 and has been a valued member of our care team for many years. Earlier this year, she stepped away to spend more time with her family. Now, we are happy to announce her return as an OBGYN Hospitalist, similar to Drs. Meredith Delp and Meridith Farrow.

As a hospitalist, Dr. White focuses exclusively on caring for patients during their hospital stays, including labor and delivery, surgical recovery, or emergency OB care. Even if she is not your regular office provider, you may see Dr. White’s familiar, trusted face during your stay. She works closely with your OB to ensure seamless communication, compassionate care, and the best possible outcomes.

Dr. White is passionate about high-risk obstetrics and gynecology, including minimally invasive surgery, treatment of fibroids, and infertility. She also enjoys teaching future physicians, mentoring advanced practice nursing students, and giving back to the local community. Please join us in officially welcoming Dr. White back to the Covington Women’s Health Specialists team and learn more about her here.