Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Leita J Harris.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Panama, raised in New York City and have been living in the Inland Empire since 1986. I am the oldest of 4 children and was determined at an early age to pursue my education and become a physician. My parents came to the mainland US after my sister was born in Hawaii (my dad served in the Army) and landed in Brooklyn. Education was a huge, non-compromising factor in our upbringing but so was family and culture. Growing up in Brooklyn and Queens exposed me to my Central American and Carribean heritage and I remember well our coconut peas n rice, plantains, simmer chicken and other staples of our diet. I remember going to the West Indian parades in Brooklyn during the summer ~ Food and dancing are in my blood! So those who know me well, know why I am what I am! Between my enjoyment of food and dance, I always strived to be my absolute best and do my absolute best in school. I skipped the 8th grade and although I commuted in HS (taking buses, trains and walking for almost 2 hours one way) I succeeded in keeping perfect grades and entered NYU at 17.
My father told me once that I was the only person he knew that said as a 9-year-old, “I want to be a doctor when I grow up”, and actually did it. I graduated from New York University, went on to receive my medical degree at Cornell University Medical College in New York City, moved to California and completed my residency training in Ob/GYN at LA County/USC Medical Center in 1990.
I was drawn to Women’s Health and was fascinated by every aspect of the human anatomy, physiology and genetics from the time I was in college so the choice of obstetrics and gynecology was a natural fit. Because of family and life challenges, in 2005 I decided to limit my practice to gynecology only. In 2015, after working for 2 multi-specialty groups over a 25 year span, I decided that my way of taking care of patients did not fit into the large group practice model. Spending quality time, listening, understanding with compassionate ears, educating and allowing my patients to be an integral part of their health care choice required a different setting for me. I stepped out in faith, with very little finances…to do me. I am probably considered non-conventional because I decided to train and expand my education on my own to learn about alternative ways to take care of my patients including bio-identical hormones, bio-identical hormone pellets, dietary supplements, enhancement procedures as well as incorporating lifestyle and homeopathic remedies as options. I am blessed to now own my own private practice, Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness, Inc. for the past 3 years.
I also work as a gynecologist for UCR Student Health Services and I’m an Associate Clinical Professor at UCR School of Medicine. I love teaching, contributing to educating the next generation of doctors, and realize that I love learning, I will be a lifetime learner. My service activity includes President of the Vines Medical Society, Board member of the Vines Foundation, Board member of various hospital and community organizations to assist with bettering the education and quality health of our community and being a speaker on Women’s Health.
Being a woman of faith has not always been my walk but it has been manifested to always have been in the plans of my Creator. In 2000, I was blessed to be united with my husband, Bishop Jon S. Harris and joined with him in launching Castle Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in 2001. I continue to stand in loving partnership with him, faithfully serving my church family in many capacities including Church Administrator, Sunday School Teacher and Director of the “Daughters of Excellence” ministry, a mentoring ministry for young ladies ages 11-18.
Another one of my pride and joy involvement is being the Administrator and Board member of Eastside Reconciliation Coalition, a nonprofit organization that my husband and I joined together to implement. The two components are (1) Volunteers who monitor students to and from school to ensure a safe route and (2) a summer youth program for at-risk High School students during the month of July.
I love and I am so proud of our awesome children, Jayce Baron, Tyler, Jon II, Brandon and Kaylee who were raised in the midst of our hard times, good times, growth and loss, who today love each other and their family as well and are individually successful in the various fields they chose (NO ONE decided to become a doctor!)
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?
Nothing worth anything can be a smooth road without obstacles and I think anyone who is successful can attest to the same. It is getting past the obstacles, overcoming failures, falling and getting back up, keeping your mind focused on your goals and determined to finish the tasks along the way that gets you there. I have had tremendous challenges along the way but, as I try to instill in young people today, you MUST have goals, you must be focused on them and make choices that line up with your goals. Mediocrity is NOT acceptable, you must be sober in realizing the rigors of the career that you choose and stay at it. It is a sacrifice, you will learn to function on little if any sleep. Your mindset must change. You are going to cry, you are going to question “why” you are doing what you are doing in the midst of it, but as I can remember like it was yesterday… as long as you can wipe away the tears and say, “but I love what I am doing”, then you can gather yourself together and keep stepping. I am a “no excuse” kind of person. I once heard in a seminar many years ago…it hit me because I realized it was my life-mantra and it has stayed with me…”you either have results or you have reasons” – I choose results.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
ABOUT NURTURING YOU…
As the name implies, this practice is one that is genuinely concerned about you and what is most important to you in attaining quality gynecologic care and overall wellness. I am passionate about being attentive to these concerns and to delivering compassionate & individualized care. This is no turnstile practice. The attention we give and the excellence in care, along with the specialized services definitely sets us apart. We have people who come from afar to have the experience that we provide
I also take care of the hormone needs of MALE patients (mostly using natural testosterone pellets and topical cream/gel) because I feel that they need balance as well and sometimes do not realize that many of the symptoms they experience are because of testosterone deficiency.
So, I am not your “ordinary” gynecologist
My motto: “You do matter and your concerns matter. We’ll work together to empower you to choose what it right for you”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I continue to add to my practice. Recently, I have added some aesthetic procedures (wrinkle reduction, skin tightening), a pharmaceutical line of skin care products and homeopathic human growth hormone (transdermal gel). I know that people like a one-stop” place for multiple needs and I love being able to offer that. We will be scheduling some seminars/workshops in the first quarter, the first one will be in January on “Keto-Lifestyle for Women” with the goal of helping women better understand weight loss, ketogenic lifestyle, women’s natural wellness and hormones, thyroid and adrenal health, etc. – look out for the promotion!
I plan to continue to expand my services to other areas of Southern California in 2019
Contact Info:
- Address: 1810 Fullerton Avenue, Suite 203, Corona, CA 92881
- Website: www.nurturingyou.com
- Phone: 844-845-8737
- Email: [email protected]
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
