HHMH Expands Women's Health Services

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Frankie Gallagher (831) 636-2644

fgallagher@hazelhawkins.com

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hazel Hawkins Expands Women’s Health Services

Gynecologic Oncologist and Breast Surgical Specialist join HHMH Medical Staff

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) is pleased to be expanding the service line of Women's Health Services by introducing new physicians to support women’s health in San Benito County.

Dr. James Lilja recently joined the HHMH Medical Staff adding the specialized field of gynecologic oncology to the scope services offered. Dr. Lilja is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, specializing in the treatment of cancerous and precancerous conditions of the female reproductive tract.

When surgery for cancer or pre-cancer is required, he tries to incorporate minimally invasive techniques (vaginal, laparoscopic, or robotic) to minimize the recovery time and discomfort for patients and their families. Dr. Lilja perform hundreds of these procedures every year. If you have been diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, you may already know the multiple treatment options—surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hyperthermia—that are often needed. Lilja stated “I’m honored to help his patients navigate a sometimes confusing and frustrating road to health.”

Dr. Lilja has been committed to the development of innovative and safe treatments for advanced and refractory cancer. He is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Verthermia Inc, a medical device company investigating new treatments for metastatic cancer utilizing heat to stimulate the body’s own immune response. Dr. Lilja is also co-principal investigator in a clinical trial using intra-abdominal heating for treating cancer within the abdominal cavity.

Dr. Elaine Lee, a general surgeon, has also joined the Women's Health Team specializing in benign breast disease and breast cancer care.

Dr. Lee is board-certified general surgeon and a fellowship-trained breast surgeon who specializes in benign breast disease and breast cancer care. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Just as no two patients are the same, no two cancers are exactly alike. Along with other providers, Dr. Lee is dedicated to working with her patients to develop an individualized treatment plan to get them back on to a path to health and healing.

Dr. Lee’s special surgical interests are hidden scar surgery and nipple-sparing mastectomies. She also has a passion for advancing cancer survivorship in young adults.

There are plans to add an additional physician specializing in Urogynecology or “female urology” in the near future. The HHMH Women’s Health specialists are located at the Hazel Hawkins Primary Care and Surgical Specialty Center located at 930 Sunset Drive, Bldg. 1, Suite C

About Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is a full-service, public agency hospital delivering modern medicine and compassionate care to the growing San Benito County community. HHMH offers hundreds of health services across multiple locations, including top-tier specialists, a modern Emergency Department, and a state-of-the-art Women’s Center. To learn more about Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation, please visit www.hazelhawkins.com.

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