David L. Zisow, MD, PA in Baltimore: Solo Obstetrics-Gynecology with Hospital Privileges at Johns Hopkins and Mercy

Dr. David L. Zisow operates an independent obstetrics-gynecology practice in Baltimore, managing prenatal care, deliveries, routine gynecological services, and surgical procedures under his own license, with delivery and surgical privileges at both Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mercy Medical Center.

What David L. Zisow, MD, PA actually is

A solo OB-GYN practice means Dr. Zisow sees patients in his own office, coordinates referrals and consultations within his network, and personally attends deliveries and performs surgeries at his admitting hospitals rather than as part of a large group where coverage rotates among multiple physicians. Solo practices in Baltimore are less common than group-affiliated care, and they appeal to patients who want continuity with one provider and a smaller operation without the bureaucratic overhead of a health system.

Services and typical scope

Zisow's practice encompasses routine gynecological care (annual exams, contraception management, Pap smears, pelvic ultrasound, bone density screening), obstetric care including prenatal visits, labor and delivery management, and postpartum follow-up, as well as surgical procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy (fibroid removal), dilation and curettage (D&C), and laparoscopic procedures for endometriosis or other pelvic conditions. Office-based services also include colposcopy and loop electrosurgical excision for abnormal cervical findings, and in-office procedures such as IUD placement.

Specific pricing for routine office visits, obstetric packages, and surgical procedures should be verified directly with the practice. Many solo OB-GYN offices in Baltimore charge between $200 and $400 for a new-patient gynecology visit, with obstetric packages (prenatal care, delivery, and six-week postpartum care) running $3,000 to $6,000 out of pocket, though insurance typically covers most or all of this cost after the patient meets their deductible. Surgical procedures vary widely by complexity.

How Zisow compares to other Baltimore OB-GYN options

Baltimore has obstetrics spread across three major health systems (Johns Hopkins, Mercy, University of Maryland Medical Center) as well as a handful of independent and small-group practitioners. Large system-affiliated OB-GYN groups offer built-in coverage (meaning you may see a different physician at delivery), faster access to subspecialty care (maternal-fetal medicine, high-risk obstetrics) within the same system, and integrated electronic records. Zisow's model trades that convenience for the continuity of seeing the same provider throughout pregnancy and delivery, and typically faster scheduling because there is no group rotation. Solo practitioners also tend to have more flexibility in scheduling consultations and shorter wait times for routine appointments.

For obstetrics specifically, if your pregnancy is uncomplicated and you value knowing exactly who will deliver your baby, Zisow's solo practice is competitive with smaller group practices. If you carry high-risk pregnancy diagnoses (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, fetal anomaly), a system-affiliated group with on-site maternal-fetal medicine specialists may be safer; all three major Baltimore systems have such programs. If you want minimal wait for a routine gynecology visit, solo practitioners often match or beat large groups on scheduling speed.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

A patient choosing Zisow is prioritizing continuity and personal relationship with one provider, tolerating the trade-off that he cannot be present 24/7 or cover every subspecialty in-house. This works well for straightforward obstetrics and gynecology, routine preventive care, and elective surgery in low-risk patients. It is less suitable for multiple gestations (twins or more), severe maternal illness, fetal complications requiring real-time specialist input, or patients who want the certainty of seeing the same provider at every prenatal visit and then expect a different group to cover delivery (solo practitioners generally attend their own deliveries, so scheduling disruptions are inherent).

Solo practices are also not ideal for patients who heavily use phone triage, on-demand messaging, or expect 24-hour callback times, because a one-person office has natural bandwidth limits.

What the first visit involves

A new gynecology patient typically undergoes a full history and physical exam, including pelvic exam, cervical cytology if due, blood work (CBC, metabolic panel, STI screening, and other labs based on history), and discussion of contraception, family planning, and preventive health. The appointment usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour and costs $200 to $400, depending on insurance and the complexity of the history.

A pregnant patient calling for an initial obstetric visit should expect scheduling within one to two weeks (verification recommended by calling directly). That first visit includes a detailed obstetric and medical history, dating ultrasound if one has not been performed, baseline labs (blood type, antibody screen, CBC, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, and rubella immunity), and review of prenatal testing options including first-trimester screening, quad screen, and cfDNA testing. Zisow's practice will outline the schedule for prenatal visits (monthly initially, then biweekly, then weekly as delivery approaches) and clarify which visits occur in the office and which require hospital-based testing (anatomy ultrasound, non-stress testing).

Hours, parking, and logistics

The practice operates during standard office hours; specific days and times should be confirmed by phone or website, as solo practices sometimes adjust schedules seasonally. For deliveries and inpatient surgery, patients are admitted to either Johns Hopkins Hospital or Mercy Medical Center depending on where Dr. Zisow has privileges and on the patient's insurance coverage and institutional preference. Both hospitals have obstetric units with Level 2 NICU capability (care for moderately ill newborns), 24-hour anesthesia, and cesarean-section capability. Johns Hopkins' obstetric unit is affiliated with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and handles higher-acuity referrals; Mercy's unit is community-focused and generally has shorter postpartum stays. Parking at either hospital during labor and delivery requires verification with the respective institution.

Why this practice fits Baltimore's landscape

A solo OB-GYN in a city with three competing health systems represents a direct-access alternative for patients who want continuity without institutional affiliation. Zisow's privileges at two major hospitals ensure that patients have choice of delivery site and continuity of care regardless of insurance or system tie-in, a practical advantage in a fragmented healthcare market.