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Mary Luann Racher, M.D.
UAMS OB/GYN is First in State to Obtain Focused Practice Designation for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
| Luann Racher, M.D., an assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), is the first physician in the state to obtain a focused practice designation for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
The designation from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) recognizes certified specialists who have additional surgical expertise and dedicate a significant percentage of their practice to the care of women with benign and complex gynecologic diseases using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Racher earned her medical degree from UAMS in 2010 and completed her residency in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2014. She is also the director of the UAMS Vulvar Clinic.
“We are proud to offer patients minimally invasive options for their surgical needs through Dr. Racher, who is highly skilled in these techniques,” said Nirvana Manning, M.D., chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Large fibroids, advanced endometriosis or adhesions from prior procedures shouldn’t limit patients’ choices when it comes to gynecologic surgery. By providing less invasive surgical options, we are able to offer women less postoperative pain, less risk of infection and less recovery time.”
Racher is proficient in hysteroscopic, laparoscopic and vaginal surgical approaches. She offers in-office diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy using the Endosee Handheld Hysteroscopy System that provides immediate diagnostic information during office visits.
She is the first gynecologist in Arkansas to offer Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES), a way to perform surgery through the vagina without any incisions in the abdomen, and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids using the Acessa platform, a uterine sparing technique for fibroids. She is also proficient in robotic surgery and performs laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy using the Xi DaVinci Surgical System.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###