TAMC offers
non-invasive kidney stone treatment
PRESQUE ISLE — A new urologist at The Aroostook Medical Center is introducing a new, non-invasive, outpatient procedure to treat area residents suffering with kidney stones.
DR. GARY WIKERT, left, of TAMC Urology Services, reviews an ultrasound with Dr. John Conant, a consulting urologist at TAMC.
Gary Wikert, MD has joined TAMC’s Urology Services alongside Robert Hunt, PA-C and consulting physician John Conant, MD. He has been board certified since 1984 by the American Board of Urology.
Wikert specializes in lithotripsy treatment; the preferred way to handle kidney stones for most patients. The sound waves break up the stones into smaller pieces which are able to pass out of the body more easily than larger stones.
“After studying comprehensive data on Aroostook County, we have noticed that kidney stones are extremely prevalent here,” said Dr. Wikert. “We are offering lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones, which is a quick, outpatient procedure. Patients recover more quickly and experience less pain than without the treatment.”
A typical lithotripsy procedure should take about 45 minutes to an hour. After the procedure, the tiny pieces of stones pass out of the patient’s body in their urine.
Dr. Wikert practices urology, but has special interest in urinary stone disease, prostate disease and urinary incontinence in both women and men. He performs urology surgical procedures such as vasectomy, cystoscopy and ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy that will be carried out in the new procedure room located within the privacy of the office suite.
“Urology services are in great demand here in northern Maine. We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Wikert to TAMC and to The County. He brings with him a wealth of experience that will be of great benefit to our current patients and others in the area in need of these services,” said Dr. Jay Reynolds, TAMC vice president and chief operating officer.
Dr. Wikert earned his medical degree from Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He completed his residency in urology at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Prior to relocating to Maine, he most recently operated his own private practice in Crossville, Tenn. for 12 years. His practice at TAMC will offer both conservative and surgical treatment of most urologic conditions.
Dr. Wikert and his wife, Gayle, are avid fitness enthusiasts and in their spare time enjoy outdoor sports and activities, as well as ballroom dancing.
For more information, or to find a health care provider, go to www.tamc.org.
