Gynecology Chief Named at NY-Presbyterian/CUMC

Dr. Arnold P. Advincula is an internationally recognized leader in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic gynecological surgery

fibroids, endometriosis

Dr. Advincula's expertise will distinguish the department as a leader in minimally invasive gynecologic procedures.

NEW YORK (February 18, 2014) — Dr. Arnold P. Advincula has been named vice chair of women's health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and chief of gynecology at the Sloane Hospital for Women at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. Dr. Advincula assumed his new role on February 1.

At NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, Dr. Advincula's expertise will distinguish the department as a leader in minimally invasive gynecologic procedures, including robotics, in the New York area. As chief of gynecology, he will expand research and clinical services in a number of key areas to include the Center for Endometriosis Treatment and Research and the Center for Women's Specialized Gynecologic Surgery at the Sloane Hospital for Women. Dr. Advincula also plans to establish NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia as the leader in gynecologic surgical education and training.

"We are delighted to have Arnie join our team," said Dr. Mary D'Alton, the Willard C. Rappleye Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and director of services for the Sloane Hospital for Women at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. "His arrival marks exciting opportunities not only to build on our existing strengths in patient care and research, but to advance our surgical education and training program. He will be an invaluable asset as we continue to provide the most innovative and comprehensive care for women."

Dr. Advincula brings extensive experience in treating complex and challenging cases of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic masses. He joins NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center from Florida Hospital Celebration Health, where he held a number of leadership positions, including medical director of both the Center for Specialized Gynecology and the Gynecologic Robotic Surgery Program. He is a leader in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and a pioneer in the use of state-of-the-art robotic technology for advanced pelvic surgery.

Prior to joining NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, Dr. Advincula helped launch the first women's institute in Central Florida. He also served as director of the surgical program at the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement and held an academic appointment as clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. He has received a patent for an energy-based surgical device (EBSD) designed to minimize tissue damage in gynecological surgery. He also helped develop a uterine manipulator, the Advincula Arch.

After receiving his medical degree with honors from Temple University, Dr. Advincula did a residency and fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill. He then spent ten years on the faculty of the University of Michigan, where he quickly rose to the rank of clinical professor. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG)-designated physician.

Dr. Advincula is the president-elect of the AAGL, formerly known as the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, an internationally recognized surgical association of some 7,500 members from more than 110 countries. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, the Journal of Robotic Surgery, and OBG Management. He is the author of numerous book chapters and more than 100 publications.

"It's an honor to be joining an institution with such a rich history of innovation and excellence in patient care," said Dr. Advincula. "I am eager to continue my work with advanced minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and to help train the next generation of doctors in the latest procedures. With the resources available at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, we will expand access to state-of-the-art gynecological care on a local as well as national level."

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, located in New York City, is one of the leading academic medical centers in the world, comprising the teaching hospital NewYork-Presbyterian and its academic partner, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine, and is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital also comprises NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division, NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. For more information, visit www.nyp.org.

Columbia University Medical Center Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org.

Contact:      Kathleen Robinson NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital 212-821-0560 krobinso@nyp.org

Doug Levy Columbia University Medical Center 212-305-3900 cumcnews@columbia.edu