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Thomas J. Swope, M.D.FIELD: Advanced Laparoscopic and General Surgery POSITION/TITLE: Medical Director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mercy; General Surgeon at Mercy Medical Center; Clinical Instructor, Department of General Surgery, University of Maryland. BACKGROUND: Dr. Swope earned board certification from the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Swope received his medical degree from the St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed his post-graduate training in general surgery at the St. Louis University Health Sciences Center with an emphasis on laparoscopic surgery. MISCELLANEOUS: Dr. Swope has numerous publications/presentations in his field and is committed to clinical education. He is a member of the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Medical Association and the Maryland State Medical Society. Dr. Swope was voted one of the "Top Doctors in America" as featured in Guide to Top Doctors (2003-2011). Dr. Swope was honored March 2009 in The Daily Record newspaper’s annual "Health Care Heroes" ceremonies. He was nominated in the "Advancements in Health Care" category as one of the first physicians in Maryland to utilize single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). He also was cited for his dedication in teaching this new technique to other surgeons from across the region who come to Mercy to learn the procedure. SILS requires only a single incision in the bellybutton rather than the traditional four incisions in the abdomen for organ removal (e.g. gallbladder, kidney, appendix, etc). Dr. Swope inserts specialized tools through a small incision in the bellybutton. The tools include a flexible camera and an instrument to cut and suture. Minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures such as this usually require four small incisions for separate insertion of the instrumentation. At the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Dr. Swope is able to perform advanced laparoscopic procedures in state-of-the-art operating rooms in the Weinberg Center. Patient convenience is enhanced by valet parking or direct patient drop-off to the Center.
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