Sit in the waiting room of McDonald Murrmann Women's Clinic PLC and you'll find the usual pamphlets on women's healthcare. But you'll also be treated to this: a well-produced video extolling the benefits of laser treatments for aging and blemished skin. What makes it noteworthy is that those services are offered through McDonald Murrmann's offices. Susan Murrmann, MD, is one of Memphis' more progressive obstetrician/gynecologists. She specializes in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, is a menopause specialist, and delivers babies through the practice she co-founded with business partner, Mary McDonald, MD. But five years ago, the two started a second practice, the McDonald Murrmann Center for Skin, Laser, and Healthy Aging, an esthetics business for which Murrmann serves as medical director.

 

Murrmann's interest in women's healthcare extends beyond dealing with pregnancy and pap smears. She's takes a holistic approach to patient care, recognizing the role OB-GYN physicians play in the lives of women. “We're the first doctor patients will see often, we're the gatekeeper to other areas,” she said.

 

“I'm pro-women in their health and well-being. I'm wanting to help them in their lives, I want to give them the best information, so that they'll feel better, and have a better quality of life,” she said.

 

A Chicago native, Murrmann entered private practice in 1991 after completing her undergraduate studies at Bradley University, and her medical training at The Chicago Medical School/University of the Health Sciences. She served two years of her residency at the University of Illinois, and two years at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. In 1996, she and McDonald went into business for themselves, opening a practice that focuses on obstetrics, gynecology, and preventive medicine.

 

It was during Murrmann's residency that she was exposed to the high-tech procedures she's come to specialize in. She was an early adopter of the emerging technology in the OB-GYN community. Unlike many of her colleagues, Murrmann dove in, learning the finer points of minimally invasive laproscopic surgery and later, robotic surgery through Methodist Hospital. She now chooses to do these types of surgeries almost exclusively, since the benefit to patients is so great. For women who need a hysterectomy, she can do the procedure using much smaller incisions, which in turn reduces recovery time to days rather than weeks. In addition to hysterectomies, Murrmann uses robotic surgery to treat fibroids, pelvic pain, and ovarian cysts.

 

“Controlling the robotic arms enables you to be quite precise, more precise than a human can be,” she says. “Plus, you can't get your eyes into areas the way you can when you're using this equipment. I can maneuver the camera around corners and then get the instruments in there.” She teaches residents the fine points of this high-tech surgery through UT's minimally invasive surgery fellowship at Methodist Hospital, which has invested heavily in the technology. The use of robotic surgery in gynecology is one of the fastest growing fields of robotic surgery.

 

Murrmann is among a small cadre of surgeons and nurses in the region who are practicing robotic surgery. Several years ago they formed the Memphis Robotic Surgery Society, thought to be the first of its kind nationally. The group, which includes physicians from urology, ERN, cardiology, OB-GYN, and anesthesiology, meets monthly to analyze cases, and share information in this still emerging field. Murrmann says their work is also helping to create a standard of care for practitioners. To keep abreast of what's going on in the field globally, she presents papers at meetings like the Second Annual World Robotic Gynecology Congress in Orlando, Florida, which took place in April.

 

Murrmann's move into esthetics, was similarly driven by her own interest. Ten years ago, she was considering Botox but soon discovered there weren't many surgeons in Memphis who would administer the injections. After doing research, she tested the waters. “I'm my own biggest experiment,” she said, flashing a smile that's reminiscent of actress Loretta Swit. “There have been studies on Botox and depression that showed the condition improved when people didn't feel like they looked sad or mad. When Botox is done correctly in the right places, it can make a difference in your life.” After trying it herself, she viewed it as a logical way to grow their business.

 

Then, to make life just a bit more interesting, Murrmann agreed to be a radio talk show co-host on 98.9 KIM FM. The offer was a fluke, she said, though her lunchtime lecture series called WAG: Women Aging Gracefully, helped pave the way. The talk show format suited her outgoing personality and willingness to weigh in on current affairs. “I've always been comfortable speaking on my feet, but now I can speak on anything and I know how to gather information in a short amount of time.” On-air for two years, the show eventually ran its course. But it was a great experience, she said. And now that she's got more free time, she's enjoying catering to her three dogs, cooking, and planning her next big adventure: a trip to Russia.