PRESS RELEASES

Robert Pugach, MD Elected Vice Chair of the American Medical Association’s Organized Medical Staff Governing Council - June 14-15, 2008

Dr. Robert Pugach, medical director of Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center was recently elected Vice Chair of the American Medical Association (AMA) Organized Medical Staff Governing Council at their June 14-15 meeting in Chicago, IL.  Dr. Pugach previously served as Secretary and the Western States Caucus Chair of this section.

The Organized Medical Staff Governing Council is responsible for making sure the voice of physicians is heard by federal and state legislators, health care agencies, the Joint Commission (for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), the insurance industry, and other public and private sector groups.  “This committee serves a vital function as an advocate for practicing physicians and our patients to ensure that we have the autonomy to provide quality medical care,” says Dr. Pugach.

The Organized Medical Staff Governing Council has been instrumental in getting physician input into major health decision-making policies within the health insurance industry, hospitals and government regulators.  

As Vice Chair, Dr. Pugach will assist Dr. Jay Gregory, a general surgeon from Oklahoma, who is chair of the Governing Council section for governance issues. In addition, one of Dr. Pugach's key responsibilities is to serve as a liaison for the OMSS Outreach Program. This program works to enhance the AMA’s outreach, communication and interchange with the membership. “I’m honored to have the confidence of my colleagues from across the United States as I assume a new position in the Governing Council,” continues Dr. Pugach. “Now, more than ever, physicians must take a stand to preserve our autonomy so we can prevent economic interests from having a negative impact on safe, affordable, quality medical care for our patients.”  

Local Urologist Invited to China to Train Physicians
Robert Pugach, MD will instruct urologists in thermotherapy for BPH;
BPH is one of the most common health problems in men.

Dr. Pugach explains thermotherapy using the new CoolWave system to Chinese urologists.

Los Alamitos, CA--Dr. Robert Pugach, Medical Director of Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center, has been invited to train urologists in Beijing and Shanghai. Dr. Pugach and Gladys Rentie, RN, the Center’s Nursing Coordinator, will spend one week with Chinese physicians and nurses providing instruction and hands-on training in thermotherapy using the new CoolWave system. Thermotherapy is used to treat men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate. Dr. Pugach focuses his practice on minimally invasive urological procedures and is one of the most experienced physicians in thermotherapy in the world.

BPH is a non-cancerous condition in which the prostate cells increase in number. Starting at age 35, the prostate starts to enlarge and puts pressure on the urethra which prevents the bladder from emptying completely, making urination difficult and painful. Left untreated, BPH can result in urological problems including frequent urination, a weak stream and sudden urges to use a bathroom. More serious problems include bladder infections, bleeding, incontinence and kidney failure.

Prior to 1993, surgery or medications with short-term benefits were the only recommended treatment available for men with prostate enlargement. “While surgery can provide a good outcome, it comes with significant risks and associated costs related to hospitalization and recovery time. Some of the risks include erectile dysfunction (ED), incontinence, retrograde ejaculation, and a need for blood transfusion,” explains Dr. Pugach.

 Pugach uses Cooled ThermoTherapy™, a non-surgical minimally invasive office-based treatment to treat BPH in a single, 30-minute session. “Cooled ThermoTherapy™ uses precisely targeted microwave energy to heat and shrink enlarged prostate tissues while a cooling mechanism protects healthy, surrounding tissue,” says Dr. Pugach. He introduced the CoolWave system to Southern California last year. Ms. Rentie states, “The majority of men notice rapid improvements in their symptoms and overall quality of life.”

	Dr. Pugach visits the Great Wall of China.

Dr. Pugach’s visit is being coordinated by Urologix and CunLling Gao, Beijing Lifecare Technology Company. Contacts are Dr. Zhou, Department Chairman of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Dr. Lin Jian, Institute of Urology, and Dr. Li Xin, Associate Professor of Urology, MD & PhD at Peking University.

PRESS RELEASE - UROLOGIX - MAY 16, 2008

Dr. Robert Pugach is quoted in a recent Urologix news release on the launch of their new CTC advance catheter at the 2008 American Urological Association Annual Meeting. To read press release, click here.

"The CTC Advance catheter is another improvement in cooled microwave thermotherapy. It is easier to insert and the additional cooling helps further preserve healthy urethral tissue. It demonstrates Urologix' commitment to quality patient care and is another reason why I use their microwave technology exclusively," said Dr. Robert Pugach, Medical Director at Pacific Coast Urology.