Davidson Surgical Associates, a general surgery practice with offices in Lexington and Thomasville, has formally affiliated with Wake Forest Baptist Health. The practice also announces the addition of a fourth surgeon, with a fifth scheduled to join the group this spring.

Dr. Eric D. Lance, spokesman for the surgical group, said that the practice will continue to provide services at both Wake Forest Baptist Health—Lexington Medical Center and Thomasville Medical Center. "Partnering with Wake Forest Baptist Health allows the practice to heighten the care that it has provided Davidson County residents for decades," he said. "We are excited by the opportunities made possible through the affiliation which strengthens our mission to provide general surgical care to patients countywide."

Formed more than 15 years ago in Thomasville, Davidson Surgical Associates is recognized as the largest surgery practice in Davidson County. Mark D. Smith, M.D., Brian C. Lewis, M.D. and Lance, opened a satellite practice on the campus of Lexington Medical Center nine months ago. Steven J. Muscoreil, M.D., joined the staff earlier this month, with another surgeon slated to come on board in May. "Additional physicians enable the practice to provide 24/7 surgical coverage at both Davidson County hospitals," Lance said, "a service that begins this month."

All of the surgeons in the group are certified by the American Board of Surgery and are Fellows in the American College of Surgeons. Each will rotate through offices located at 5 Medical Park Drive in Lexington and at 1219 Lexington Avenue in Thomasville.

As general surgeons, they treat a variety of conditions including cancer, diverticulitis, gallbladder and hernia problems. They offer both traditional and minimally-invasive surgical methods. At Lexington Medical Center, the group has teamed with Wake Forest Baptist Health plastic surgeon Ivo Pestana, M.D., to provide immediate breast reconstruction surgery for breast cancer patients.

Dr. Muscoreil joined the staff February 6. "We are blessed to welcome Dr. Muscoreil, his wife and children to the Davidson Surgical family," Lance said. "He left a thriving practice in Lumberton to join us." Lance said that numerous physicians from the Lumberton area who worked directly with Muscoreil have approached him to express their respect for him as a person and surgeon. "They tell us we are very lucky to have him join our group and expressed sadness at losing him," he said.

Dr. Muscoreil completed his medical degree in 1992 at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio. He completed his surgical residency at Summa Health System, Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio where he trained in general, vascular, thoracic and laparoscopic surgery, endoscopy, stereotactic breast biopsy and sentinel node biopsy. He also holds a doctorate in podiatric medicine from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"We want to be known for the quality of modern surgical care we provide patients," said Lance. "We are pleased to be affiliated with Wake Forest Baptist Health and look forward to meeting the surgical needs of patients in Thomasville and Lexington." Dr. Lance added that the group has been warmly welcomed by the Lexington community.

"We are delighted that the practice chose to affiliate with Wake Forest Baptist Health, and equally delighted that they expanded their practice to the Lexington Medical Center campus," said Donny Lambeth, hospital president.