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Drs. Paul Seago, Mildred Ridgway and Richard Boronow.

Last August, when Dr. Mildred Ridgway joined Jackson Gynecologic Oncology (JGO) as the third specialist in the practice group, she brought unique expertise on procedures involving minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for uterine cancer, the most common gynecologic cancer in American women, accounting for 35,000 new cases and 3,000 deaths annually.

Trained at Duke University Medical Center, where the Jackson native completed her formal residency, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she completed her gynecologic oncology fellowship under the tutelage of renowned medical pioneer Dr. John F. Boggess, Ridgway joined Dr. Paul Seago, a Jackson gynecologic oncologist. Four years ago, Seago established JGO, located in the St. Dominic Medical Plaza West Tower.

Together, they were the first physicians in Mississippi to perform a minimally invasive cancer operation for uterine or cervix cancer.

"In fact, we have been the first to perform a minimally invasive robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy for invasive cervical cancer in a multi-state area," pointed out Seago, a Memphis native who completed his formal residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC).

Since performing the first of these minimally invasive surgeries for gynecologic cancer in August 2005, shortly after Ridgway's arrival to the practice on Aug. 1, the duo have completed more than 100 procedures, including 65 cases with the da Vinci® surgical system, which St. Dominic acquired in December, only eight months after the FDA approved the use of robotics in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

The da Vinci® surgical system uses robotic technology to take MIS to new levels of precision, allowing surgeons to perform many procedures through 8- or 12-millimeter incisions. It scales down the surgeon's hand movements and converts them to very precise movements by micro-instruments at the site of operation, while observing a 3-D view of the site provided by laparoscopic instruments. For patients, the da Vinci system allows for decreased blood loss and transfusions, and decreases the risk of infection. There is typically less post-operational pain and discomfort, along with a faster recovery time.

Surgeons benefit from this system by performing MIS procedures quicker and easier. Also, because of the possibilities opened up through the use of robotic micro-instruments, the system allows surgeons to perform procedures that have not been viable under the restrictions of older technology.

"We're very excited about the surgical results, and the patient's quick recoveries," said Seago.

Ridgway, the mother of three-year-old Allison, said, "as a physician, a researcher, and a woman, I have made it my life's mission to understand cancer, and do what I can to eliminate it from as many lives as possible."

On July 1, the trio of physicians, including Dr. Richard Boronow, took over the education of resident physicians on gynecology rotations for the UMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

On Aug. 9, JGO, which specializes in pelvic surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal and fallopian tube cancers, including pre-malignant and malignant disorders of the vulva, vagina and cervix, expanded its practice by seeing patients in Tupelo through an agreement with North Mississippi Medical Center.

"Disease can be life changing," said Boronow, a Wisconsin native whom Town and Country magazine named one of the nation's best doctors in 1982, and who directed UMC's gynecologic cancer services for nearly a decade before moving his referral practice to the private sector. "Our challenge is an awesome responsibility, and we respect the sacred trust given us to provide state-of-the-art patient care."

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