Identical triplet sisters all became OB-GYN doctors just like their mom: 'I’m so proud'

Joanna, Vicky, and Sarah Bedell were 8 years old when they first saw their mom, Dr. Janet Gersten, bring a baby to life. As a kid, Vicky remembers being “to the side against a wall" as the patient kept apologizing for cursing. “I remember my mom being very collected and having confident control of the situation, which was very cool to watch,” Sarah told TODAY's, Sheinelle Jones. 

As for Gersten's other daughters, Joanna felt terrified. “Three things stick out in my mind,” she remembered. “One, I did not expect the baby’s head to be so big. Two, it was the first time I ever felt like I was going to faint. And three, I definitely don’t want to be an OB-GYN.” In retrospect, the triplet sisters overcame their fear and were inspired enough by their mom to become OB-GYNs. As for Gertsen, she never pushed her daughters to follow her career but she is happy about it. “I’m so proud of how things have worked out,” Gersten told TODAY. 

Vicky, Sarah, and Joanna completed their degrees in medicine in 2017 and then they went ahead to work with their mom at the New Age Women’s Health in Miami, Florida, which specializes in gynecology and clinical research. Even then, each of the sisters has her own field of expertise within the field of gynecology. “I see patients with vulvar skin conditions and sexual dysfunction, Vicky usually does our surgeries, and Joanna typically provides miscarriage and pregnancy termination care,” Sarah said.

Although Joanna was scared to become an OB-GYN as a child, in her medical school days, she felt inclined towards gynecology and obstetrics. “It’s a very good mix of primary care, surgery, procedures, and being able to care for patients through many phases of their lives,” Joanna said. “And we all know that men make the worst patients!”

As all three sisters share the same last name, they go by Dr. Joanna, Dr. Vicky, and Dr. Sarah to avoid confusion from the same surname for their patients. In 2022, they even made a major life announcement that they would be shifting to gynecology from caring for pregnant patients. As for Vicky, who is pregnant herself, she won't be getting her baby delivered by her sisters, “Of course, I would trust them with anything, but I want them to be there in a more of a sister or aunt role.” 

“While this is going to be a hard transition because we really loved taking care of all of our pregnant moms, we are able to focus more on other aspects of gynecology and women’s health,” the Bedell sisters wrote in a joint statement on Instagram. “We will also be able to put more time and effort into our medical research company where we help establish new treatments and therapies for common gynecological complaints."

Gersten found a clinical research company in 2000, and she runs it with the help of her daughters from the Miami office. Clinical research is essential for any medicine to be approved by the Food and Drugs Administration. "Aside from the general requirements of the study, patients do not need insurance to be a part of them, and they get a lot of medical care — Pap smears, bloodwork, ultrasounds — at no cost,” Vicky explains. “It’s a great way for women to help other women!”

“I love that we are all on the same team and that I trust them", said Joanna.