Summerville, SC – This week Summerville Medical Center is celebrating a surgical milestone with local OB/GYN Beth Cook, MD for performing her 500th minimally invasive robotic gynecological procedure. Summerville Medical Center has completed more than 4,900 minimally invasive robotic surgeries overall since starting the robotic surgery program in 2012, with 3,350 of those being obstetric and gynecology procedures.
Dr. Cook has helped champion robotic OB/GYN surgeries at Summerville Medical Center for the past decade, performing her first in late 2012. “My goal every day is to change the lives of my patients,” commented Dr. Cook. “My passion is caring women across generations, for every decade and milestone in her life. I want to help them get back to their favorite hobbies and enjoying their active lives. It is an honor to care for women in our community.”
“It’s truly remarkable what our surgeons and surgical staff have accomplished in the past ten years since our first minimally invasive robotic surgery,” said Jeff Taylor, CEO of Summerville Medical Center. “Our team is dedicated to ensuring Lowcountry families have easy access to high quality care close to home and providing options like robotic surgery that ensures they recover and return home to their families quickly.”
In October 32 year old Karissa Owens underwent minimally invasive robotic hysterectomy surgery at Summerville Medical Center performed by Dr. Cook. For Karissa, having this surgery meant resolving years of health issues that kept her from spending time with friends and loved ones. “Dr. Cook listened to my issues and truly cared about what was best for me,” said Karissa. “She provided me with numerous treatment options and helped me to make the choice that was the best fit for my lifestyle. Within a week of having the procedure, I was pain free and back to enjoying my normal activities like going to concerts and out to dinner.”
Getting back to walking 10,000 steps a day was 64 year old Lee Wilson’s goal after having a robotic hysterectomy. “Dr. Cook is a very skilled surgeon and an even nicer human being,” commented Lee.
“She is so kind and reassuring, and made me feel like I was in great hands physically and emotionally. I feel so fortunate to have her as my doctor.” Three weeks after her minimally invasive surgery, Lee celebrated her easy recovery and was back to her favorite hobby walking 10,000 or more steps every morning.
Summerville Medical Center launched the minimally invasive robotic program in 2012 and currently operates 3 robotic systems that provide more precise surgical procedures, less need for pain medication, and faster recovery times that get patients back to their families and normal daily activities. The hospital’s team of fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeons offer a variety of surgical procedures including gynecology, orthopedic, spine, pediatric, reflux, weight loss, breast, vascular and more.
In spring 2023, Summerville Medical Center is opening a $6 million surgical services expansion that will provide the growing community across Dorchester and Berkeley Counties with greater access to surgical care in their own backyard. The project adds 9,500 new square feet of surgical space including three new Operating Rooms (for a total of nine ORs), expanded Ambulatory Care unit, and expanded Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.