When you meet Elisabeth Scalva, MD, the first thing you might notice is her height. However, that quickly fades away as her vibrant personality radiates as she engages with people. As a new Obstetrics/Gynecology physician at SMH Women’s Clinic, Scalva will bring that positivity, and her infectious laugh, to bear on her work every day.
“I have always had a genuine love for people,” Scalva says. “When I couple that with my love for science, I naturally moved towards healthcare.”
It was her grandfather, a veterinarian, who initially piqued her interest through his practice.
“He would have to dissect animals or do surgeries and that was my first exposure to any type of medicine,” she adds.
Originally from Littleton, CO, Scalva grew up in the shadow of the big city of Denver. But she knew she had a passion for rural areas and bringing quality healthcare to those who make their homes away from the big city lights, especially women.
“I trained in rural settings after medical school and have always had a commitment to rural medicine,” Scalva says. “I thought I wanted to be a general surgeon at first, but found that I am passionate about helping women throughout their entire life. I like and appreciate that continuity.”
Scalva was part of a private practice in Grand Junction, CO for the three years prior to her move to Sheridan. Her best friend from med school, Lindsay Capron (another OB/GYN physician at the SMH Women’s Clinic), was recruiting her pretty hard.
“Lindsay and I are very close and she knew how much my family and I would love it in Sheridan,” Scalva said. “And she was right. We came to interview and just loved it.”
Describing herself as “outdoorsy,” Scalva and her family like to hike, backpack and camp. She is also into trail running and yoga.
“My husband, Ryan, and I bought a home near the park and just love being able to take our kids, ages one and four, to the park,” said Scalva. “We want to be a part of the community and living in the heart of it makes sense for us.”