University Physicians, a service of the South East Area Health Education Center, recently entered into a partnership with Pender Memorial Hospital to offer the University Physicians Pender Surgery Clinic.

Open for Wednesday appointments, the clinic “will provide the same level of care patients receive in Wilmington without having to travel,” hospital officials said. 

Pender County-area patients can be referred for onsite outpatient procedures that include laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, umbilical hernia repair (laparoscopic and open), excisional biopsy of skin and soft tissue masses and portacath placement.

Those scheduled for inpatient surgery at New Hanover Regional Medical Center with University Physicians can now schedule pre- and post-operation visits with the Pender Surgery Clinic.

A team of University Physicians surgeons – Elizabeth Acquista, William Hope and W. Borden Hooks III – will staff the clinic.

Acquista is double board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care. Hope is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery, with board certification in general surgery.

Also board-certified in general surgery, Hooks is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery and minimally invasive bariatric surgery.

All three surgeons also serve as faculty for the NHRMC’s surgery residency training program.

Patients will be seen in the Pender Memorial Hospital’s Clinic, 306 E. Campbell St. in Burgaw.