Glen Meade Center for Women’s Health, part of the NHRMC Physician Group, announced that Timothy L. Chase recently became the first physician in southeastern North Carolina to be certified in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS), also known as urogynecology. 
 
The new subspecialty certification focuses on the diagnosis, management, treatment, prevention and promotion of health for benign female pelvic disorders such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, voiding dysfunctions and complex benign gynecologic surgery. It is administered by the American Board of Urology and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).
 
“While I have been treating benign female pelvic disorders for more than 20 years, obtaining this certification has been a goal of mine ever since I started treating patients for pelvic organ release and urinary incontinence during my residency,” Chase said in a news release.
 
ABOG offers certification in four subspecialties: maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, gynecologic oncology and now FPMRS. With Chase’s board certification, New Hanover Regional Medical Center is now home to physicians with certifications in all four subspecialties, officials said.
 
“In the past, area patients have traveled hundreds of miles to receive treatment from other hospitals for benign female pelvic disorders,” Chase said. “I am pleased to be offering such a broad range of subspecialty services right here in Wilmington.”
 
In addition to his expertise in female pelvic medicine, Chase is also a local pioneer in gynecological robotic surgery, having performed New Hanover Regional’s first robotic hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy (surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse) in December 2008.
 
He has performed more than 250 robotic surgery procedures to date. He also teaches surgeons nationwide the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery using the da Vinci system.