Endocrine Surgery Services
World-Class Care From An Experienced Team
Surgical Specialists of Charlotte is home to one of the largest fellowship-trained endocrine surgery teams in the Carolinas, providing a unique concentration of specialized expertise in thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal surgery.
Our surgeons are leaders in their field, including recognition as Castle Connolly Top Doctors and Charlotte Magazine Top Doctors. Our team also brings AAES-certified endocrine surgery expertise, advanced minimally invasive techniques, and robotic surgical capabilities to the care of patients throughout the greater Charlotte region.
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed, have been referred by your physician, or are seeking a second opinion, our team is here to help you understand your condition, explore your options, and confidently move forward with the treatment that’s right for you.
Our Fellowship-Trained Endocrine Surgeons
Kristin E. Wagner, MD, FACS
Shamly V. Dhiman, MD, MHA, FACS
Natalie Merchant, MD
Krista Stephenson, MD
Why Choose Surgical Specialists of Charlotte?
Endocrine surgery is a highly specialized area of surgery. Having access to a team of fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons means patients and referring physicians can benefit from an unmatched depth and breadth of endocrine surgery experience in the region.
Our endocrine surgery program offers:
- Four fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons
- One of the largest fellowship-trained endocrine surgery teams in the Carolinas
- AAES-certified endocrine surgery expertise
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors and Charlotte Magazine Top Doctors recognition
- Specialized expertise in thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal surgery
- Multidisciplinary case review and tumor board participation for complex cases
- Comprehensive in-office diagnostic evaluation and testing
- Advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques when appropriate
- Convenient office locations throughout the greater Charlotte region
- Patient-centered education and guidance
- Streamlined care and communication with referring physicians
- Second opinions for patients seeking additional expertise or reassurance
Our goal is not simply to perform surgery. It’s to make sure every patient receives the right evaluation, understands their diagnosis and treatment options, and receives world-class care.
What Is An Endocrine Surgeon?
Many patients have never heard of an endocrine surgeon until they’re referred to one. It’s understandable to have questions about what an endocrine surgeon does and why you’ve been referred.
An endocrine surgeon specializes in the surgical treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the endocrine glands. This is different from an endocrinologist, who primarily diagnoses and manages hormone disorders through medical treatment.
Our endocrine surgeons specialize in conditions involving the:
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid glands
- Adrenal glands
Because these conditions can be complex, specialized surgical expertise can be an important part of determining the most appropriate treatment.
Helping Patients Understand Their Condition
Being referred to an endocrine surgeon can be overwhelming. Patients may arrive scared, uncertain about their diagnosis, or simply wondering why they have been referred for surgery in the first place.
We meet you where you are.
We believe education is an essential part of good medical care. Our team takes the time to explain your condition in clear, understandable language, answer your questions, and discuss your treatment options.
We want you to understand what is happening, why it is happening, and what your options are so you can make better decisions about your care.
Whether surgery is recommended or another approach is appropriate, our goal is for you to leave your consultation feeling informed, heard, and confident about what comes next.
Conditions We Treat
Our fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons evaluate and treat a wide range of endocrine conditions.
Thyroid Disorders
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid cancer
- Goiter
- Hyperthyroidism
- Indeterminate thyroid biopsies
- Multinodular thyroid disease
- Suspicious thyroid nodules
Parathyroid Disorders
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Elevated calcium levels
- Parathyroid adenomas
- Recurrent hyperparathyroidism
- Other conditions affecting the parathyroid glands
Adrenal Disorders
- Adrenal tumors
- Functional adrenal masses
- Adrenal incidentalomas
- Pheochromocytoma
- Cushing’s syndrome when surgery is appropriate
Procedures We Perform
Our endocrine surgeons perform a broad range of surgical procedures tailored to each patient’s diagnosis and individual needs. Procedures may include:
Thyroid Surgery
- Thyroidectomy
- Partial or total thyroidectomy
- Surgery for thyroid cancer
- Surgery for suspicious or indeterminate thyroid nodules
- Surgery for goiter and multinodular thyroid disease
Parathyroid Surgery
- Parathyroidectomy
- Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery
- Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism
- Reoperative parathyroid surgery when appropriates
Adrenal Surgery
- Adrenalectomy
- Minimally invasive adrenal surgery
- Robotic adrenal surgery when appropriate
Complex & Reoperative Endocrine
- Reoperative thyroid surgery
- Reoperative parathyroid surgery
- Complex endocrine surgery
- Surgery for recurrent or persistent endocrine disease
Minimally Invasive And Robotic Surgery Expertise
When appropriate for the patient’s condition, our surgeons use advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques. These approaches may offer selected patients the benefits of smaller incisions and potentially shorter recovery times. Every surgical recommendation is individualized based on your diagnosis, anatomy, medical history, and overall health.
Comprehensive Evaluation Without the Extra Steps
One of the advantages of choosing Surgical Specialists of Charlotte is that our team performs the comprehensive workup and testing needed to evaluate your condition.
Rather than requiring referring physicians to coordinate multiple tests and appointments before sending a patient to us, our team handles much of the diagnostic evaluation ourselves. This creates a more streamlined experience for both patients and referring providers.
Depending on your condition, your evaluation may include:
- Comprehensive endocrine surgical consultation
- High-resolution ultrasound
- Ultrasound-guided biopsy when appropriate
- Laboratory review
- Imaging review
- Pathology review
- Evaluation of previous diagnostic testing
- Personalized treatment recommendations
This approach helps reduce unnecessary appointments and delays while giving our surgeons the information they need to make an informed treatment recommendation.
For referring physicians, it also means you can confidently refer a patient knowing that our team will take care of the specialized endocrine evaluation.
Multidisciplinary Care for Complex Cases
Some endocrine conditions require the expertise of multiple specialists. For complex cases, our surgeons collaborate with endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, and other specialists, to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Our multidisciplinary case review and tumor board participation allows complex cases to be evaluated from multiple perspectives. This collaborative approach helps ensure that important diagnostic and treatment considerations are addressed before a surgical plan is recommended.
For patients with complex thyroid, parathyroid, or adrenal disorders, having access to this level of coordinated expertise can provide additional confidence in their care.
A Trusted Resource for Referring Physicians
We understand that referring a patient is about more than simply sending someone to another specialist. Referring providers want to know that their patients will receive specialized expertise, a thorough evaluation, and clear communication throughout the process. Surgical Specialists of Charlotte is committed to making the referral process as streamlined as possible.
Our team:
- Performs the specialized endocrine workup and diagnostic testing
- Reviews imaging, laboratory results, and pathology
- Provides comprehensive endocrine surgical evaluations
- Develops individualized treatment recommendations
- Coordinates multidisciplinary care for complex cases
- Communicates with referring physicians throughout the patient’s care
- Provides surgical treatment and follow-up when appropriate
Our goal is to make it easy for primary care physicians, endocrinologists, gynecologists, oncologists, and other specialists to connect their patients with experienced endocrine surgeons. To refer a patient to our practice, medical providers should call 704-364-8104.
Schedule an Endocrine Surgery Consultation
Whether you’ve been referred by your physician, recently diagnosed with an endocrine condition, or would like a second opinion, the endocrine surgery team at Surgical Specialists of Charlotte is here to help.
With one of the largest fellowship-trained endocrine surgery teams in the Carolinas, advanced surgical capabilities, comprehensive diagnostic services, and a commitment to patient education, you can feel confident that you’re receiving specialized care from a team focused on you. If you are a patient and would like to schedule an appointment, call 704-364-8104.
