Mary Pukite, a University of Minnesota Health obstetrician/gynecologist, loves caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth—important, joyful moments in their lives.
Pukite is one member of a highly skilled care team at the Women’s Health Specialists Clinic on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota Medical Center. The clinic, which opened three years ago, is designed to provide medical treatment for women based on collaborative and integrative medicine, and is run by an interdisciplinary team of specialists. Today, the Women’s Health Specialists Clinic is recognized nationwide for its expertise in dealing with pregnancy issues, ovarian diseases and a host of other problems that affect women.
That recognition is largely due to the first-class team of providers, like Pukite, who help women achieve optimal health and wellbeing. We spoke with Mary Pukite, MD, a University of Minnesota graduate who now helps train new generations of physicians.
I see patients with a variety of complaints including abnormal or heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and menopause symptoms. And we see a lot of high-risk pregnant patients. Working together with members of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center care team, I assist these patients during their pregnancies and in the hospital during delivery. At that point, my role is to help deliver the baby through a vaginal birth or cesarean section.
I also perform a wide range of surgical procedures, including removal of ovarian cysts, tubal ligations, removal of tubes and ovaries, hysterectomies and myomectomies. I have a special interest in minimally invasive procedures including laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery. I’ve completed special training in robotic surgery.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
It surprises many people to learn that I’m also a mechanical engineer. I have a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota. Perhaps that’s why I’m so fascinated by robotic surgery and robotic technology!