BELFAST — MaineHealth Waldo Hospital is now offering parathyroid surgery, expanding access to advanced endocrine surgical care for patients in Midcoast Maine.

“Previously, patients had to travel to Bangor or Portland for endocrine surgeries—procedures that are typically lowrisk, outpatient operations that can safely be performed in a rural hospital with the right expertise, training and equipment,” said surgeon Lauren Slattery, MD, in a MaineHealth news release. “We’re excited to provide these surgeries in Belfast and keep patients closer to home.”

Slattery completed her fellowship in endocrine surgery at Columbia University’s Department of General Surgery in New York City.

Endocrine surgery is used to treat diseases of the endocrine system, the glands that produce hormones within the body.

Parathyroid surgery treats overactive parathyroid glands, a condition that leads to elevated blood calcium levels. Dr. Slattery noted that hyperparathyroidism is frequently underdiagnosed and is most common in patients over the age of 60.

During parathyroid surgery, surgeons remove the portion of the gland causing the issue and test levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) during the procedure to confirm a successful drop. With Waldo Hospital’s recent acquisition of intraoperative PTH testing equipment, patients can now receive this care locally.

Dr. Slattery also offers additional endocrine surgeries at Waldo Hospital, including thyroid and adrenal procedures and their accompanying diagnostic tests. She specializes in a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique for adrenal surgery that offers faster recovery, reduced postoperative pain, and less risk to surrounding organs.

“We are fortunate to have Dr. Slattery’s expertise on our team at Waldo Hospital,” said Mark Eggena, MD, PhD, chief medical officer for MaineHealth’s coastal region. “Expanding access to endocrine surgery here in Belfast means patients can receive highquality, specialized care without long travel times. Bringing this capability close to home is a significant advancement for our community and the patients we serve.”

Dr. Slattery joined Waldo Hospital last August after completing her endocrine surgery fellowship. She previously completed her general surgery residency at the University of Utah’s Department of General Surgery in Salt Lake City. She earned her medical degree from the University of Queensland School of Medicine–Ochsner Clinical School in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Slattery also holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, with minors in math/computer science and music.

For more information, please visit mainehealth.org or call Surgical Care Belfast at 5054603.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.