Patient Care Surgery
CornerstoneVolume l 0 December 20l2 With patient care at the forefront, surgery changes with the times Almost 50 years ago, medical Small incisions mean A patient’s story pioneers took the leap into using quicker healing Gynecologist Heather York, MD, new technology for minimally The benefit? Patients have smaller shares the story of one of her invasive surgery—surgery that uses incisions, which mean quicker patients. small incisions and tools. healing, less scaring and a reduced need for pain medication. “Mary, a 73-year-old patient, came “Minimally invasive laparoscopy in for a regular checkup. At the was in its early stages and used “You’re doing the same amount end of her appointment, almost as mainly for diagnostic procedures,” of surgery with the robot, but an afterthought, she mentioned a said Randy Lewis, MD, a practicing the incision is smaller. Despite small concern to me,” she says. gynecologist who recently retired the amount of surgery, patients from obstetrics after 23 years. have amazing recovery, and that’s Dr. York ordered diagnostic tests a significant benefit. They are to get to the heart of the issue— Today, laparoscopy is considered functioning and getting back to Mary’s uterine lining was thickened mainstream in gynecological care. work sooner.” said Dr. Lewis. from endometrial cancer. She Laparoscopic and robotic surgery needed a hysterectomy right away. is now used for a wide variety of continued on page 3 conditions. 1 Z Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors Inside Heidi Pollock, President Ron Farmer, Vice President A.P. Parks, Treasurer John Harrison, Secretary Cornerstone Joe Gonyea III, Immediate Past President December 2012 Charles Warren and Vern Katz, MD, At Large Carolee Bauer Jack Pyle Surgery changes with the times Mats Fish, MD Augie Sick 1 Akshay Gupta, MD Rick Skeie John Hill Mike Solomon 50 years of giving 3 Charlie Hoffmeister, MD Sharon Stanphill Guy Justice John L.
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