Gina Carloto—also known as Miss Connecticut 2023—recently shared her deeply personal journey through the healthcare system for Darien New Canaan Lifestyle Magazine. After watching her mother’s struggle for answers during her cancer diagnosis, Gina became determined to take charge of her own well-being. This renewed sense of purpose and years of disheartening encounters with doctors led her to ESSE Care, a decision that shaped both her healing journey and her growing advocacy for women’s health.
What Women’s Empowerment Means to Gina
Losing her mother to cancer just three months after diagnosis reshaped Gina’s understanding of strength. Her mother—a survivor of domestic violence and a single parent—spent her life caring for others while neglecting her own health. This loss became Gina’s turning point, showing her that women cannot truly thrive when their own wellness is always last on the list.
In the article, Gina emphasizes that prioritizing personal health is one of the most powerful and often overlooked forms of self-respect.
What Led Gina to ESSE Care
After 16 years of struggling with severe pain that was repeatedly dismissed by doctors, Gina sought out Dr. Karli Provost Goldstein of ESSE Care in 2024. As an endometriosis specialist, Dr. Goldstein took Gina’s symptoms seriously, immediately ordering specialized lab work and scheduling laparoscopic excision surgery to address Gina’s concerns. The surgery confirmed what Gina had suspected all along: advanced stage 3 endometriosis.
Now, Gina is a patient advocate for women who are fighting to receive proper care. Her healing journey reinforces that wellness is lifelong, systemic, and requires self‑advocacy.
ESSE Care: Empowering Women to Live Life on Their Terms
Our goal at ESSE Care is to help our patients heal so that they can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. For many of our patients, their previous experiences with the healthcare system left them feeling dismissed and frustrated. After finally finding a listening ear and comprehensive support at ESSE Care, these patients often feel passionate about advocating on behalf of others having a similar experience.
We’re honored to have played a part in Gina’s healing journey, and we’re here to provide supportive care throughout her life.
Read Gina’s full article, Redefining Women’s Empowerment, in Darien New Canaan Lifestyle Magazine.
