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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – John Boggess, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, was honored with a Health Care Heroes Award by the Triangle Business Journal. His Health Care Innovator/Researcher Award was given in recognition of his pioneering work with robotic surgery for gynecologic cancers. Boggess is a member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Due in large part to his training of other surgeons, robotic surgery is now the number one treatment for gynecologic cancer in the US, according to an executive with Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Boggess has presented the surgical techniques at national and international meetings and has hosted training visits to UNC for over 400 gynecologic oncology specialists.

The greatest significance of Boggess’ efforts is the impact robotic-assisted surgery has for patients. He has published reports in professional journals demonstrating that robotic-assisted surgery decreases complications, blood loss, pain and recovery time without compromising short-term surgical outcomes compared with both laparoscopy and laparotomy for both cervical and endometrial cancer. These findings, which represent the largest clinical series published to date, suggest that robotic assisted surgery is superior to current methods and is a new standard of care.