Dr. Kim Goodwin

Dr. Kim Goodwin became an OB/GYN because she loves "taking care of women and delivering babies is a thrill“. Graduating with honors from the University of San Francisco, Dr. Goodwin has a BS majoring in biology with a minor in psychology. She went on to receive her medical degree from Brown University in Rhode Island, where she was presented with many accolades.

Her four years as a resident in obstetrics and gynecology at the Women and Infants’ Hospital in Rhode Island proved to be successful as well. Dr. Goodwin received the "Outstanding Resident Teaching" award each year that she was a resident.

Dr. Goodwin is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and her activities have included: violence peer counseling, pregnancy clinic counselor and Children's Psychiatric Hospital volunteer. Dr. Goodwin was also named as one of the city’s best physicians by San Diego Magazine in October 2006 and 2008.

She is married to a firefighter for San Diego City Fire Department. Dr. Goodwin enjoys competitive volleyball, reading and knitting.

Dr. Craig Saffer

Dr. Craig Saffer practiced as a physician in many medical specialties, and then began to focus on his passion, obstetrics and gynecology. He completed his residency at the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine where he received numerous awards including Mentor of the Year, Medical Student Educator of the Year and the Teaching Excellence Award. He has over 15 years of experience in the field that he loves. "It's a privilege to share such an important part of someone's life", says Dr. Saffer. "Nothing can compare with the joy of being there at the start of a precious life."

Dr. Saffer provides total obstetric care and is a specialist in minimally invasive surgery including da Vinci robotic surgery, traditional laparoscopy as well as hysteroscopy. He is a well known leader in this field and is actively involved in teaching surgical procedures to other gynecologists. Dr. Saffer has been named one of San Diego's top doctors by San Diego Magazine and has been featured on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel as well as numerous news channels. He is involved in medical research including the prevention of cervical cancer, treatment of fibroids, postmenopausal therapies and female sexual dysfunction.

Dr. Saffer is married to a physician. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing the guitar and singing in a garage band.

Dr. Lauren Bales

Dr. Lauren Bales stayed in San Diego after completing her obligation with the Navy. She obtained her BA in Biology at the University of Colorado and then received her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. While on active duty for the US Navy, she completed her residency in OB/GYN at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and has been stationed throughout the world including Okinawa, Japan and Naples, Italy.

Dr. Lauren Bales became an OB/GYN because she "enjoys the diversity of OB/GYN and believes that being a part of a patient’s total care is very rewarding."

She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is currently active within the Navy reserves. She enjoys traveling, golf, cooking and spending free time with her husband Chris.

Dr. Amy French

Amy French first approached women’s health care as a counselor for rape and domestic violence survivors, as well as working with women with eating disorders. After deciding to pursue medicine, the choice of obstetrics and gynecology was obvious. As an Ob/Gyn, she enjoys continuity of care with women from adolescence to menopause and beyond. The birth of a child is the most important day of a woman’s life and she still thrills in every birth she attends. Dr. French is also interested in minimally invasive surgical techniques that offer women more choices in their reproductive health.

Dr. French received her BA from Emory University in Atlanta, with a double major in psychology and religion. She completed post-baccalaureate science courses at the University of California at Berkeley. After medical school at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky, she completed residency at the University of Florida in Jacksonville. During residency she was awarded teaching awards all four years and the Alfred P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award during her final year. She also won first place at the residency research symposium for her original research on methods of labor induction.

Originally from Florida and Kentucky, she is thoroughly enjoying the San Diego weather and lifestyle. She especially enjoys jogging and hiking here year-round. Other interests include healthy cooking and travel. For a month in 2006, Dr. French worked in a mission hospital in Malawi, Africa, and would like to participate in more third-world healthcare delivery.

Dr. French is board certified.

Dr. Daniela Meshkat

Dr. Daniela Meshkat knew she wanted to do OB/GYN the moment she stepped on the labor floor during her 3rd year of medical school. Treating women during all phases of their lives is what intrigued her the most about the field. Dr. Meshkat also thoroughly enjoyed the diversity that the field of obstetrics and gynecology offers, ranging from prenatal care in the office setting to operating on various gynecological procedures. She practiced in Maryland for 13 years in the Johns Hopkins Medical System before relocating to the west coast for a better lifestyle.

Graduating with honors from Immaculata University in Paoli, Pennsylvania, Dr. Meshkat has a B.A. in Biochemistry. She then received her medical degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Internship/residency was spent at Cooper University Hospital/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where Dr. Meshkat received "The Golden Apple Teaching Award" during those years.

Dr. Meshkat is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her diverse interests include: triathlons, yoga, hiking, the great outdoors, her dogs, Daisy and Denver, eating at eclectic places, and of course.... Exploring the world with her partner, Jason.

Dr. Meshkat has travelled to Ghana, Africa on several medical/surgical missions with International HealthCare Volunteers. Her passion is travel and enjoys this while helping those in need and learning about their various cultures.

Nurse Practitioners

Our Nurse Practitioners function as an important part of our practice and perform many diagnostic and therapeutic tasks. Their skills include performing routine exams and Pap smears, pre-natal and post-partum exams, and exams for gynecologic problems. In addition, the Nurse Practitioner is trained to counsel patients about pregnancy, choices for birth control, sexually transmitted infections, PMS, and menopausal symptoms. The Nurse Practitioner’s extra training has provided them with health problem solving tools that allow them to offer a high level of health care to women.

NP, Casey Lynch

Casey Lynch received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2001. She also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Samuel Merritt College in 2005. After working three years as a labor and delivery nurse at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women, she pursued a career in advanced practice. She received a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the Family Nurse Practitioner program at University of San Diego and graduated in the spring of 2008 as a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and as an Irene Palmer Scholar.

Casey has been working as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2008. She takes pleasure in caring for women throughout the lifespan although she has a special interest in teaching new moms and also instructing young women about self and preventative care.

In her free time, Casey enjoys traveling, water sports, snowboarding and spending time with family and friends.

NP, Mona Nuthall

Mona Nuthall is a native of Southern California, who graduated with a Master's degree in Nursing Science as a Nurse Practitioner from the University of San Diego in May of 2000.

After working for 20 years in the healthcare field, including work at UCSD Medical Center in the Infant Special Care Center, Mona began practicing as a Nurse Practitioner.

Mona provides individualized care to women of all ages focusing on every patient's special needs including prenatal care, well-woman exams, contraceptive management, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Mona enjoys sailing, photography, and relaxing in San Diego.

Our Staff

The staff at West Coast OB/GYN is committed to providing our patients exemplary and courteous care with every visit.