It is said that if you love what you do for a living you will never work a day in your life. Dr. Glenn Leavitt, owner of Leavitt Women’s Healthcare, may be on the job 24/7, but his love for his patients and passion for delivering new lives into the world make it seem more like a calling rather than just a job.
For the last 15 years, Dr. Leavitt has been caring for women of all ages and in all stages of life with a smile on his face. He has a gift for making each person feel important. So, while his days (and nights) are often filled with his work, there is no doubt that he absolutely loves what he does.
Growing up in Blackfoot, Dr. Leavitt’s journey into medicine started at an early age. He felt drawn towards the idea of helping others and specifically wanted to help deliver babies. He was the middle child in a family of nine, but since no one in the family was involved in the practice of medicine, the pursuit seemed nearly impossible.
After graduating from high school, Dr. Leavitt served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Arizona and New Mexico. When he moved back to Blackfoot, he married Kathleen DeCoff, who also served as a missionary in Albuquerque. He then began his undergraduate education at Idaho State University.
While at ISU, Dr. Leavitt began acclimating himself to his current work/life schedule. He simultaneously worked nights as a CNA at the State Hospital South, studied zoology by day and even joined the ISU football team for a term.
Undeterred by an early unsuccessful round of med-school applications, Dr. Leavitt worked on strengthening his credentials and prepared for a second round of applications. While visiting his wife Kathleen’s family in Massachusetts, Dr. Leavitt visited the campus of New England School of Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. As Dr. Leavitt and Kathleen visited the admissions office it was noted that there was a missing form in his application. They were able to meet the Dean of Admissions and discuss their journey and Glenn’s desire to become a doctor. She was impressed and said she thought he would be a great addition to the program. She asked him to submit the final form to her attention directly. That moment served as his interview to the school and he received a letter of acceptance. While Kathleen noted, “The rest was history,” the adventure was just beginning.
Upon completion of his education in 2005, Dr. Leavitt moved back to Idaho and started Leavitt Women’s Healthcare in a small rented office on Woodruff. The office has now grown to five practitioners and more than 30 employees.
Dr. Leavitt stated “It has been an incredible journey so far. I have had the privilege of working with so many gifted individuals. It has taken such a big effort from all our staff to accomplish all we have accomplished. We could have never made it this far without the efforts of so many talented people. I can’t imagine having better front office workers, nurses, providers, and administrators. Not just now, but for the whole journey.”
Dr. Leavitt delivered his first baby in Idaho Falls on Oct. 25, 2005. The newborn, Austin Leavitt, was Dr. Leavitt’s nephew. Since then Dr. Leavitt has helped families welcome thousands of babies.
Dr. Leavitt is also known for his surgical skill and has been a pioneer locally in robotic surgeries, including being the only physician regionally performing single site robotic hysterectomies. Dr. Leavitt has served as a proctor for the Da Vinci Surgical Systems, teaching other physicians minimally invasive techniques.
Over the years, Leavitt Women’s Healthcare has carved out a strong foothold in the Idaho Falls community. They were selected as the Reader’s Choice
OB/Gyn office by the Post Register in 2019 and voted the No. 1 OB/Gyn office in the state in 2020 by idahosbest.com.
What would Dr. Leavitt do differently if he could start over today? “Honestly I don’t think there are too many things,” he said. “I am surrounded by amazing people. We have the most incredible patients you can imagine. Kathleen is the best wife and the strength that keeps me going. I have incredible and beautiful kids. I could have never made it without their love, patience and support. It is a privilege to do what I do. Really all I can say is thank you to everyone who makes it possible for me to chase my dream.”
Dr. Leavitt is working on developing a new office space on Sunnyside Road and looks forward to serving the community for many years to come.