Ovarian cysts are one of the most common gynecologic problems women are bothered by today. One of Dr. Liza Colimon’s many specialties includes the treatment of ovarian cysts, and speaking from experience in her most recent article on According to Winnie, she outlines five myths about ovarian cysts that she hears from her patients.

For instance, not all ovarian cysts need to be surgically removed, most of them resolve on their own without you ever noticing their presence. Also, they rarely cause infertility. Check out Dr. Colimon’s article on According to Winnie to learn more misperceptions about ovarian cysts.

Our Dr. Jessica Vaught, obstetrics and gynecology, performed a robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy this morning and chronicled the step-by-step procedure on the According to Winnie blog.

This procedure was performed on her patient, Sharon, using the DaVinci robotic system to remove several fibroid tumors that grew inside the muscle wall of the uterus. This method of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is lauded because the small incisions used allow for a quicker recovery time and shorter hospital stay.

See Sharon’s live surgery on According to Winnie

The live-streaming coverage allowed an audience ranging from other physicians and medical professionals to consumers from around the world to watch and ask questions in real time as Dr. Jessica Vaught, director of minimally invasive surgery at Winnie Palmer Hospital, performed the procedure.

Learn More About Dr. Jessica Vaught

Women of all ages can now find specialized gynecologic care and treatment options in the new Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies Center for Advanced Gynecologic Surgery and Pelvic Medicine in Orlando. The center specializes in a wide range of gynecologic and urogynecologic conditions  that is staffed by three fellowship-trained gynecologists that includes Jessica Vaught, MD, Bela Kudish, MD, and Liza Colimon, MD. They offer advanced surgical options utilizing a minimally invasive approach, medical therapies and a multidisciplinary focus to improve the lives of women.

The center’s team of physicians is experienced in all facets of gynecologic care, including laparoscopic, robotic and vaginal surgery as well as treatment of conditions such as endometriosis, symptomatic uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal and pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. The center’s team also specializes in total and supracervical hysterectomy and fertility sparing myomectomy.

“Our team of physicians understands a woman’s needs and desires to have a quick recovery and get back to their normal routine,” says Dr. Vaught. “We listen to our patient’s concerns and are able to offer them the most advanced surgical techniques that allow our patients to have a quicker recovery and simply feel better.”

The goal of the Center for Advanced Gynecologic Surgery and Pelvic Medicine is to be a resource for patients as well as referring physicians who are looking for a place where more advanced minimally invasive surgery options are offered, as well as treatments for pelvic pain, vulvar disorders and pelvic floor dysfunction. The center aims to work with primary care physicians and OB/GYN’s as a resource to provide services while still leaving the patient’s care in their hands.

Surgical services are performed at Winnie Palmer Hospital, which is a designated training Epicenter that was named an Academic Center of Excellence by the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS).  The center’s surgeons utilize state-of-the-art laparoscopic and hysteroscopic equipment and the da Vinci® Surgical System for patients who meet the appropriate medical requirements. “The field of urogynecology offers exciting new ways to evaluate and treat aspects of women’s health that have not been offered in the past,” says Dr. Kudish. “The number of women who will experience at least one pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime is increasing, and our center offers hope as well as advanced care and support for these women.”

Dr. Vaught, director for the Minimally Invasive Surgery Department at Winnie Palmer Hospital, is a fellowship trained laparoscopic surgeon who has a vested interest in expanding laparoscopic and robotic surgical options for women. She has partnered with many physicians in the community to implement advancements in the field of gynecologic surgery on a local and national level. Dr. Kudish, director of the Urogynecology Division at Winner Palmer Hospital, completed an accredited fellowship approved by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Urology (ABOG/ABU) in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. She specializes in a wide range of procedures and therapies focusing on pelvic reconstruction and incontinence as well as pelvic floor dysfunction including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder disease and defecatory dysfunction. Dr. Colimon completed an accredited fellowship through the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists in minimally invasive surgery with an additional emphasis on pelvic pain and vuvlar disorders, such as vestibulitis and vulvodynia. She believes it is important to focus on patient education and emphasize a patient-centered approach in optimizing treatment options for women.

Liza Colimon , MD, FACOG, recently joined  the Winnie Palmer Hospital Center for Advanced Gynecologic Surgery and Pelvic Medicine.

Dr. Colimon earned her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry at Northwestern University. She received her medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at two teaching affiliates of  Harvard Medical School: Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in 2006. She completed an American Association Gynecologic Laparoscopists’s accredited fellowship in advanced gynecologic disorders and minimally invasive surgery at Florida Hospital. Dr. Colimon is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Colimon is a published author in peer reviewed journals, has contributed book chapters and has presented her work and research at the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists’ Annual Clinical Meetings.  She is a member of the American College of Obsetricians and Gynecologists and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. She is also fluent in Spanish.

New Physician Brings Experience In Various Women’s Health Issues

ORLANDO, Fla (October 10, 2011) – Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, an Academic Center of Excellence in minimally invasive surgery, has added a new surgeon to its team of women’s health specialists.

Liza M. Colimon, MD, FACOG, is the newest physician to join Winnie Palmer Hospital’s Center for Advanced Gynecologic Surgery and Pelvic Medicine.

Dr. Colimon is an advanced specialist in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and gynecologic disorders such as chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, pelvic floor disease, incontinence, and interstitial cystitis. She has also completed an American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists accredited fellowship in Advanced Gynecologic Disorders and Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Dr. Colimon received her medical degree at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine, Chicago, and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. From 2006 to 2009, Dr. Colimon practiced on faculty as an Associate Gynecologist/Obstetrician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, providing a full spectrum of consultation and gynecologic surgical services, and minimally invasive surgery as the only gynecologist for three inner-city health centers.

Winnie Palmer Hospital’s minimally invasive surgery program has shown significant growth recently. In fiscal year 2010, 75 percent of surgeries at the hospital were minimally invasive – an increase of more than 40 percent since 2008. The hospital also continues to exceed the national average for open versus minimally invasive hysterectomies. Sixty-seven percent of hysterectomies performed at Winnie Palmer Hospital are minimally invasive, while the national average is about 20 percent.

Minimally invasive surgery carries many benefits for women in Central Florida and beyond. Winnie Palmer Hospital has launched a website dedicated to providing information on gynecological health, including minimally invasive surgery: www.accordingtowinnie.com

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WINNIE PALMER HOSPITAL for WOMEN & BABIES

Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, is a 285-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of women and babies. The hospital includes comprehensive fetal diagnostics and labor and delivery services, a regional center for neonatal intensive care, maternal intensive care and women’s services.  Annually, more than 13,000 babies are expected to be born at Winnie Palmer Hospital, making it the busiest labor and delivery unit in the state of Florida. To learn more, visit www.winniepalmerhospital.com.