Important Announcement

Dear Patient:

I have been in practice in the Charleston area since 2006. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve you and this great community all these years.

I have come to know many of my patients and their families as friends. I am honored that many of you have asked me to care for two, and even three generations of your relatives.

It is with mixed emotions that I announce the closing of my colon and rectal surgery practice. I have been offered an amazing opportunity to join Orlando Health Cancer Institute as part of the Colorectal Surgery Program to head their Pelvic Floor Division at their soon to open Pelvic Floor Center. There are many talented doctors in town who will be able to continue caring for you.

For Interstim follow up, you may see Dr. Cary Fishburne or you may look on the Interstim website for a surgeon near you. Dr. Fishburne’s office number is 843-380-8002. He is a urogynecologist so will only see ladies. For gentlemen, please see Dr. Kelly E. Shaffer with Lowcountry Urology

For HRA (high resolution anoscopy), Doctor Gabriel Chedister can be reached at 843-958-1281.

For Colonoscopies: Dr. Rya Kaplan (843-936-5970). She will continue to use the same surgery center so your records should be there.

For any other issues with your colon, rectum or anus: At East Cooper Medical Center: Dr. Brendan Murphy (843-971-4673) At Summerville Medical Center: Dr. Susan Knoche

At MUSC: (743-792-8999) Dr. Virgilio George Dr. Thomas Curran Dr. Colleen Donahue Dr. Pinckney Johnstone Maxwell

At Roper: (843-958-1281) Dr. Jorge Lagares Dr. Gabriel Chedister

Several of you have asked if you could see me in Orlando. It would be my greatest privilege to serve you there, and I feel honored that you would consider coming to see me. If you would like to do that, please email your information to the Orlando Health Colorectal Institute Director of Operations, Mrs. Cara Horner at cara.horner@orlandohealth.com . She will make sure that you get your appointment and any help you need.

I wish I could have been able to inform each of you in person and give you one last hug. For many of you, we’ve known each other for many years, and I will miss seeing you and keeping up with your lives.

You are always welcome to come see me in Orlando. It is not a very long drive; we can visit and you can spend a weekend at a great vacation destination! It would be a wonderful place to recover from a surgery or have your colonoscopy.

I hope to see you there,

Margarita Murphy, MD, FASCRS