Nikita Machado, MD, pictured with some of NGMC Gainesville’s OR staff following the hospital’s first thyroid radiofrequency ablation. (NGMC Gainesville photo)

Nikita Machado, MD, pictured with some of NGMC Gainesville’s OR staff following the hospital’s first thyroid radiofrequency ablation. (NGMC Gainesville photo)

NGMC Gville state’s first Center of Excellence for Endocrine Surgery

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Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville has become the first and only hospital inGeorgia to earn designation as a Center of Excellence in Endocrine Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), just as the hospital offers a new and advanced thyroid procedure.

SRC accreditations are awarded only to hospitals and surgeons who meet rigorous, internationally recognized standards for safety, outcomes, patient experience and continuous quality improvement.

                        Nikita Machado, MD, an endocrine surgeon and the program director for the Endocrine Surgery Center of Excellence, and Derek Pendarvis, MD, a general surgeon, have been named Surgeons of Excellence in Endocrine Surgery.

            As part of its ongoing effort to expand advanced treatment options for the endocrine system, NGMC Gainesville recently completed its first Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure. This minimally invasive treatment gives patients with benign thyroid nodules a way to relieve symptoms without surgery, stitches or a long recovery. RFA uses precisely delivered radiofrequency energy to shrink nodules while preserving healthy thyroid tissue, allowing most patients to return home the same day.

            “We’re excited to bring this option to our community,” said Dr. Machado, who performed the first RFA procedure. “For many patients, RFA offers meaningful relief from pressure, discomfort or difficulty swallowing while avoiding the risks and downtime of traditional surgery.”