Obstetrics & Gynecological Care Team

Biography

Ellen Cuddeback, DO, FACOOG, is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Goshen Physicians OB/GYN. She provides comprehensive well-woman care and obstetrical services. Dr. Cuddeback has extensive volunteer experience where she donated her time and expertise to such causes as the Wyandotte Clinic for the Working Uninsured, Yes Ma’am Mammograms for the Uninsured, Good Fellows in Farmington, MI, and the Monroe (MI) County Health Department. When not caring for her patients, Dr. Cuddeback enjoys traveling, running and fitness, reading and cooking.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Cuddeback believes that quality health care involves determining how all aspects of a person’s life impact her health. She approaches each patient with deep personal commitment, building a relationship based on compassion and honesty that helps her provide everyone with the best possible care. Dr. Cuddeback uses the latest medical advancements to ensure her patients and their families have convenient access to a wide spectrum of comprehensive medical services all backed by the full support of Goshen Health.

Clinical Interest

Dr. Cuddeback specializes in fetal monitoring and 3D/4D ultrasound; and gynecological services including pap smears and annual exams, urodynamic testing of the bladder/urinary incontinence treatment, fertility work-up and treatment, major and minor hospital surgical procedures, HPV vaccination, contraception and family planning, STD screening and treatment, menopause management, and women’s health education and counseling. Among her specialties are robotic-assisted surgery for hysterectomies, vaginal hysterectomies, and treatment of vulvar disorders and hormone replacement therapy.

Biography

Peter Delneky, MD, FACOG, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is also certified by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review. His many years of experience make him a valued partner at Goshen Physicians OB-GYN. Dr. Delneky offers a full range of obstetrical and gynecological services to women of all ages. The services include alternative to hysterectomy, minimally invasive and robotic surgery.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Delneky is a strong women’s health advocate and believes in giving his patients the one-on-one personal care and attention they deserve.

Research Interest

Dedicated to women’s health, Dr. Delneky has published numerous articles and lectured on diverse topics ranging from robotic surgery and estrogen replacement, to understanding the physician’s role in the care for victims of sexual assault.

Biography

Hubert Fornalik, MD, FACOG, is a gynecologic oncologist at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. He specializes in ovarian cancer debulking, or tumor removal, robotic/minimally invasive surgery, sentinel node biopsies, and nerve sparing radical hysterectomies. Dr. Fornalik treats patients with uterine, ovarian, cervical and vaginal cancers. He also treats patients with pelvic masses and high-risk patients with benign gynecological conditions.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Fornalik believes in the importance of giving patients hope, and working hard to give each patient every possible chance of success. He understands that our goals are as unique as our personalities and change as we go through different stages of our lives. Dr. Fornalik works closely with patients to develop individual treatment plans most suitable to the patient’s prior medical history, diagnosis and goals. Dr. Fornalik performs 90 percent of his major cases robotically, compared to a 65 percent specialty average. Robotic surgeries offer shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery than traditional open surgeries. Dr. Fornalik considers maximal effort cytoreductive surgery with the goal of removing all visible cancer for patients with advanced cancers.

Clinical Interest

Dr. Fornalik has focused on the following treatment areas: treatment of gynecologic cancers, implementation of novel surgical approaches and chemotherapy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and complex surgery for benign gynecologic conditions. His expertise in robotic and debulking surgery in combination with chemotherapy and radiation, allows him to offer a unique approach to patients with recurrent cancers.

Research Interest

Dr. Fornalik is well published in the areas of endometrial, uterine and ovarian cancers. He has special research interests in the use of robotic assisted surgery in treatment, as well as the effects of obesity on prognosis and surgical outcomes. In his last publication in International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer (2015; 25: 1488-1493), he presented a novel approach to staging of ovarian and high-risk uterine cancers, which became the first report of robotic hand-assisted surgery in gynecology.

Biography

James Frimpong, MD, FACOG, is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Goshen Physicians OB/GYN. He provides comprehensive obstetric and gynecological care for women of all ages. Dr. Frimpong has advanced training in minimally invasive procedures for treating women with diseases and disorders of the reproductive system. Away from his medical practice, Dr. Frimpong plays soccer and ping pong. He also enjoys current affairs and world politics.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Frimpong focuses on treating each patient with compassion, concern and understanding. His approach to care respects each woman’s experience as unique. In addition, he understands that helping women manage their health is a private and sensitive matter. Dr. Frimpong believes pregnancy and childbirth are special events in the lives of women and their families.

Clinical Interest

Dr. Frimpong’s interests range from management of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and fibroids to abnormal uteruses, minimal invasive procedures and obstetrics care.

Biography

Dr. Sharrell Gibson is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist with Goshen Physicians OB/GYN. She cares for patients from adolescence through their post-menopausal years. Dr. Gibson is specially trained in minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic procedures.

When Dr. Gibson is away from her medical practice, she enjoys outdoor sports, including tennis, biking, hiking and water sports.

Philosophy of Care

Compassionate care comes naturally to Dr. Gibson, since she loves her work and her patients. She considers herself privileged to care for patients throughout the transitions of womanhood – empowering them to feel happier with themselves and their personal lives.

Clinical Interest

All aspects of routine and high-risk pregnancies as well as healthy deliveries interest Dr. Gibson. She also appreciates the challenge to solve gynecological issues, such as birth control, pelvic pain, vaginal conditions and endometriosis.

Biography

Nicole Fornalik, PA-C, is a board certified physician assistant at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. She provides medical care for female patients with cancers of the reproductive system and complex benign gynecologic conditions. As a primary surgical assistant, she assists during open and robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Philosophy of Care

Nicole believes that knowing patients on a personal level is as important as understanding their disease and treatment options. She respects each patient’s distinct physical and emotional needs and serves as a resource, supporter and guide for patients and their families.

Clinical Interest

Nicole has pursued extensive medical knowledge in surgical care and management of gynecologic oncology patients. She takes part in all aspects of patient care, including first-assisting in surgery, pre- and post-operative care, and cancer surveillance during follow-up care.

Research Interest

Nicole has contributed to numerous published articles and abstracts for clinical journals. Her emphasis is on robotic-assisted surgery in the treatment of gynecologic malignancy. She served as first-assist in all cases referenced in an article on hand-assisted robotic surgery in gynecology. It was published in the International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer (Int J Gynecol Cancer 2015; 25: 1488-1493).

Biography

Alison Mattern, NP, is a board certified women’s health nurse practitioner who works collaboratively with physicians at Goshen Physicians OB/GYN. With more than 20 years of experience, she provides primary care and education to women of all ages to address a wide spectrum of health issues. In addition to women’s annual and routine exams, Alison provides PAP tests and STD exams as well as screening and diagnostic tests, including ultrasounds and endometrial biopsies. Alison provides a full range of obstetrical treatment including infertility counseling, routine exams during and after pregnancy and trimester education to help pregnant women understand the stages of pregnancy. Alison is proficient with all methods of family planning including IUD insertion and diaphragm fitting. She also provides education, counseling and management for osteoporosis, menopause and depression, which includes hormone and estrogen replacement therapy. She also is proficient in Spanish.

Philosophy of Care

Alison is passionate about women’s health issues. She believes in the importance of education and empowerment of women to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Her approach includes a strong commitment to patientcentered care. Alison strives to communicate with her patients in a timely and compassionate manner. Throughout her career, Alison has remained dedicated to providing health care and education to underserved women in Elkhart County.

Clinical Interest

All aspects of obstetrics and gynecology interest Alison including urodynamics and incontinence disorders. She specializes in the treatment of abnormal pelvic and gynecological issues, including abnormal bleeding, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), amenorrhea, pelvic pain, atrophic vaginitis, urinary incontinence and breast lumps and pain.