Longtime local gynecologist Travis Terrell, M.D., joins Oaklawn office

MARSHALL – When asked how he got his start in medicine, Travis Terrell doesn’t hesitate to credit his family’s influence.

“My mother was a nurse, and she had a lot of medical books around,” the longtime Ceresco resident said. “When you grow up, you’re inquisitive, so I read her medical books. I knew all the bones in the body by the time I was 14 years old.”

Terrell never stopped learning and, in his professional role as a gynecologist, Terrell has served patients in the Battle Creek region for 17 years. At the end of this month, however, Terrell will be a part of the staff at Oaklawn Medical Group — Obstetrics & Gynecology, based in Suite 3D of the Wright Medical Building at 215 E. Mansion St. Appointments may be made by calling (269) 558-0702.

While he was growing up in the central Illinois city of Mattoon, Terrell’s early fascination with medical knowledge extended to his academic studies as well.

“I had a thirst for knowledge and I just knew that I was interested in the human body and medicine,” he said. “I always had an interest in math and science and I scored well in math and science competitions.”

Terrell’s mother, a registered nurse who worked at a local hospital and as a corporate nurse, encouraged her son’s interest. After graduation from Neoga (Illinois) High School, Terrell pursued a professional role in medicine in earnest.

Terrell earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Illinois in 1985, and went on to receive his doctor of medicine degree from that university’s College of Medicine in 1989. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Pontiac-based North Oakland Medical Centers, affiliated with Wayne State University, in 1993.

Terrell is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a diplomate of both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

Terrell also is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the Michigan State Medical Association, the Calhoun County Medical Association and Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society.

Terrell and his wife of 21 years, Patty, live in Ceresco. The extended family consists of her son, Eric Ladwig, two grandchildren, and a collie-husky mix named Ranger.

“My wife and I are dog lovers,” Terrell said. “Ranger was rescued from a San Antonio kill shelter and we have had him 4½ years. He goes everywhere with us, loves to travel, loves people and is an unofficial ‘therapy’ dog.  He is a big part of our life.”

Other family activities include biking, hiking and “a lot of RVing” and travel, especially in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Terrell said he was particularly interested in coming to Oaklawn because of its access to the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. Terrell completed his initial training in use of the daVinci system in 2008 and has used the system in approximately 700 cases.

“I’ve been in the area a long time so I’m a familiar face in the community, so I have roots here,” he said. “I’ve also known a lot of people who worked at Oaklawn, which has a great reputation in the community. It’s a good fit for me to continue to care for my patients in the area.”