Gynecologic Oncology Brings Floridian to Spencer Cancer Center

OPELIKA, Ala—A disappointing experience with a gynecologic oncologist in Florida left Judy Atchison frustrated and wondering what to do next.

Since being diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, she’d been struggling to find a provider who was right for her. Most of the gynecologic oncologists near her home in Niceville, Florida, were overbooked or not accepting new patients, and pointed her out of town for care. After an appointment out of town went poorly, she was back at square one.

Atchison called her sister and explained the trouble she was having finding a gynecologic oncologist who would fit her needs. Her sister, a professor at Auburn University, mentioned having heard good things from a friend about Kerri Bevis, M.D., at the Spencer Cancer Center.

“My mother, sister and granddaughter live in the Auburn-Opelika area, which meant I could stay with my family while receiving care,” Atchison said. “Also, Dr. Bevis was affiliated with EAMC with her office at the Spencer Cancer Center, our hospital of choice.”

She contacted Bevis’ office and explained her situation. From this first experience, she could tell she might have found the right doctor for her. Soon, she would begin making the commute from the Florida Panhandle to Opelika to receive treatment.

“I was determined to find a gynecologic oncologist that was known and trusted to have a good reputation and was willing to take a new patient during the very hectic time frame of COVID,” Atchison said. “Her staff always introduced themselves with their name and provided me with their telephone number and any obstacles that might interfere with my ability to reach them in advance.”

Atchison began receiving treatment in late-June 2022. Throughout treatment, Bevis and staff would perform ultrasounds and biopsies to monitor her healing. She recalled one visit in particular that spoke to the dedication Bevis has for her patients.

“One of my visits was scheduled on a day when her office and clinic were scheduled to be closed. However, she scheduled a staff member to come into the office and assist her to reexamine me on her day off,” Atchison recalled. “She was so committed that I should be seen as soon as possible that she made an extraordinary effort to assure that she could.”

A few months after beginning treatment, Bevis contacted Atchison and recommended a robotic total abdominal hysterectomy, and to remove her ovaries. While Atchison’s condition was moving in the right direction, Bevis felt that Atchison’s uterine tissue was regenerating faster than she was comfortable with and wanted to remove four large cysts on her right ovary.

Following the procedure, Atchison spent one night at East Alabama Medical Center before going home to Niceville. When she woke, she said she felt ready to take on the world. Atchison joked that she did, however, take a short break from gardening out of precaution.

“I felt full of energy and did not want to stay in bed except for a short nap after lunch,” Atchison said. “Having the surgery restored my desire to be more active and to get things done.”

Atchison says her condition has slowly improved since her surgery. She says she has already begun scheduling her checkup visit with Bevis for early 2024.

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About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinic and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital, while EAMC-Lanier provides inpatient services as well as a nursing home, an acute rehab unit and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,500 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth.org.