UNC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
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UNC Gynecologic Oncology Robotics
Physician Biographical Profiles
John F. Boggess, MD
Paola Gehrig, MD
Links
The Second International Gynecologic Oncology Robotics Symposium
UNC CARES (Computer and Robotic Enhanced Surgery) Center
Videos
Christina Spence of Knightdale, N.C., was diagnosed with uterine cancer. In November of 2007 the 54-year-old underwent robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy at UNC. Here she comments on the outcome.
Dr. John Boggess of UNC discusses the impact of robotic-assisted surgery on gynecological medicine.
Research
A case-control study of robot-assisted type III radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection compared with open radical hysterectomy
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Volume 199, Issue 4 , Pages 357.e1 - 357.e7
J . Boggess , P . Gehrig , L . Cantrell , A . Shafer , M . Ridgway , E . Skinner , W . Fowler
A comparative study of 3 surgical methods for hysterectomy with staging for endometrial cancer: robotic assistance, laparoscopy, laparotomy
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 199, Issue 4, Pages 360.e1-360.e9
J . Boggess , P . Gehrig , L . Cantrell , A . Shafer , M . Ridgway , E . Skinner , W . Fowler
News
Largest studies of robotic-assisted surgery for gynecologic procedures find fewer complications
Doctors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have shown in the largest groups of patients to date that robotically-assisted surgery provides superior short-term outcomes for two gynecologic procedures
John F. Boggess, MD
Associate Professor, UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
For more than a decade, Dr. Boggess has been a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and currently serves as associate professor of gynecologic oncology in the department of obstetrics and gynecology. Previously, Dr. Boggess was an assistant professor in the division of gynecologic oncology and a clinical instructor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology. He also serves as program director for UNC’s Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology and director of the CARES (Computer and Robotic Enhanced Surgery) Center.
Considered one of the world’s leading experts in robotic-assisted surgery in gynecologic oncology, Dr. Boggess has lectured internationally on robotic applications in this medical field. He also has performed several live robotic endometrial cancer procedures and robotic radical hysterectomy procedures at various global symposiums and meetings. In addition, he has produced numerous academic videos to educate his peers on robotic-assisted surgical cases.
His research interests include minimally-invasive surgical procedures for endometrial cancer in morbidly obese women and the use of the da Vinci Surgical System for the treatment of cervical cancer. His research has been published in more than two dozen medical journals including The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Journal of Robotic Surgery and The Women’s Oncology Review. He is a peer reviewer for four medical journals including the Journal of Robotic Surgery, for which he serves as co-editor. He has presented research at a number of international medical meetings including the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (2008), Minimally Invasive Robotic Association, Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer and Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.
Dr. Boggess is a member of several professional organizations including the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, Minimally Invasive Robotics Association and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 2008, Dr. Boggess was named one of the “Best Doctors in America.”
Recognized as an outstanding educator, Dr. Boggess has received several awards for excellence in teaching including the CREOG National Faculty Teaching Award, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching Award, and UNC’s Golden Tarheel Faculty Teaching Award.
Dr. Boggess received his medical degree from Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine in 1991 and completed his medical residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington, where he was appointed chief resident. He also completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at UNC. Dr. Boggess is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a subspecialty in gynecologic oncology.
Paola A. Gehrig, M.D.
Associate Professor, UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Gehrig is an associate professor of gynecologic oncology in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She joined the UNC faculty as a clinical instructor in the division of gynecologic oncology in 1997 and became an assistant professor in 2000 before assuming her current position. She also serves as a resident faculty advisor and medical director for both the Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology Unit and the Gynecologic Oncology Outpatient Services at UNC. In addition, Dr. Gehrig serves on the protocol review committee for UNC's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
With a passion to improve outcomes for women with gynecologic cancers, Dr. Gehrig focuses her research on identifying new treatments for women with endometrial cancer, which is the most common gynecological malignancy in the United States. Her primary research has focused on clinical behavior of uterine serous carcinomas. She believes that retrospective reviews will teach clinicians how to better manage women with this disease.
Dr. Gehrig’s research has resulted in the publication of studies in several medical journals including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. Dr. Gehrig is a peer reviewer for four medical journals in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and gynecologic oncology, including The Women’s Cancer Journal for which she serves as the contributing editor.
Dr. Gehrig has presented her research for three consecutive years at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and has participated at other prominent medical meetings all over the world, such as the Minimally Invasive Robotic Association. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award for Poster at the ACOG Annual Meeting.
Dr. Gehrig is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Association for Cancer Research. In 2008, she was appointed president of the Mid-Atlantic Gynecologic Oncology Society. Also in 2008, Dr. Gehrig was named one of the “Best Doctors in America.” During her career, Dr. Gehrig has received many awards for her excellence in teaching including both the Golden Tar Heel Teaching Award and the Droegemueller-Bowes Junior Faculty Teaching Award from UNC and the American Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Gehrig received her medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, and completed her medical residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Virginia Hospitals. Dr. Gehrig also completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at UNC in 2000. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a subspecialty in gynecologic oncology.