Marlena S. Halstead, MD

“The most rewarding aspect of my job as an OB/GYN is knowing that our work has the potential to affect generations. So many women I come in contact with have dealt with health issues for years but either were never asked about them by their doctors or were too ashamed to bring them up. I love being a safe space for these discussions, and hopefully, I can offer advice and treatment options that can improve someone’s life.” ~Marlena Halstead, MD

Virginia Women’s Center welcomes Marlena S. Halstead, MD, to our incredible care team. Dr. Halstead will see patients at our Midlothian office and deliver babies at Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center. 

Dr. Halstead’s ultimate goal is to empower women with knowledge about their gynecologic and obstetric health. She enjoys caring for women at all stages of life and wants her patients to feel heard and understood and to leave confident, hopeful, and on their way to better health. Dr. Halstead is also passionate about helping underserved patient populations and historically marginalized groups. 

As a mom to young twins, Dr. Halstead knows firsthand how important education and care are during a high-risk pregnancy. She also knows that being on your own with your baby or babies for the first few weeks and months is one of the most eye-opening, messy, absolutely beautiful experiences you’ll ever have. So, she’s passionate about educating moms-to-be about the importance of planning for this period and helping them understand how critical it is to accept offers of help so that they can focus on feeding their babies and taking care of themselves.  

Dr. Halstead and her awesome husband are the parents of 1-year-old twin girls. She loves the Richmond area’s easy access to the mountains and beaches. When not caring for patients or her adorable daughters, Dr. Halstead enjoys cooking, baking, and watching cooking competition shows. She attributes her newfound passion for trying new recipes to getting her daughters to eat more!