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NADIA GOMES, M.D. Building a Home in Shreveport For Dr. Gomes, helping patients achieve a lifetime of wellness through disease prevention is just as important as caring for people when they're sick. A family medicine physician at CHRISTUS Primary Care Associates – Shreveport Bossier, Dr. Gomes is especially passionate about women's health and pediatrics. " When I was in medica l school, I found every area of medicine fascinating," Dr. Gomes reca lls. "Selecting a specia lty was a difficult decision, but I knew family medicine was the right fit for me because it a llows me to care for children, parents and the elderly. I love that I am able to care for entire families and develop strong relationships with patients over many years." TAKING YOUR WELLNESS TO HEART Preventive care is important for good health, and it's never too early — or too late — to make heart-healthy changes. These adjustments can be difficult, so Dr. Gomes partners with her patients to help them make small changes that are sustainable. "Many people try crash dieting for short intervals, but it's important for people to adopt diet and exercise habits that can become part of their daily lives," Dr. Gomes says. "Food choices, for example, should be tailored to each individual. Pick foods you enjoy and will continue eating." Some of Dr. Gomes' favorite ways to stay active include running, yoga, cardio dance workouts and walking. She and her husband, Bryan, also enjoy hiking and plan most family vacations around outdoor activities. A mom to young daughter Olivia, Dr. Gomes knows how hard it can be to find time for exercise and brings a personal perspective to counseling her patients about their health. "We are all busy in our own ways, but we must learn how to prioritize what's most important," Dr. Gomes says. "Taking time for yourself helps you recharge and prepare for what's to come." ✚ In need of a primary care provider? Call 1 (844) CPG-DOCS (274-3627) or visit christushealth.org/shreveportprimarycare to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gomes. Nadia Gomes, M.D., is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her medical education brought her to the United States. While in medical school, she completed rotations in New York, Chicago and Shreveport. It was during her time in Shreveport that she met her husband, a medical student who was staying in a neighboring dormitory. Dr. Gomes enjoyed the community so much she wanted to continue her training in Shreveport. She performed her residency through the Louisiana State University Family Medicine Residency Program, where she was introduced to physicians at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. Outside of medicine, Dr. Gomes loves cooking — especially baking cookies, which she considers her specialty — and spending time with her loved ones. In addition to her husband and daughter, she is surrounded by family members from Canada who recently relocated to Shreveport. CARE: My Kind of Spring 2017 | christushealthsb.org YOUR CARE TEAM 3