The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center in St. Marys welcomed its 10,000 patient Thursday morning.

As the Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center's 10,000th patient, Gail Gavazzi is shown checking in for her procedure Thursday morning. Gavazzi received a complimentary gift basket filled with gift certificates to area businesses.

The 10,001 patient, Richard Rounsville, was also presented with a gift basket. Wortman said he signifies the beginning of  a new generation of patients.

In observance of the milestone, each patient's family received a small plant from Lyn-Clare Flower Shop. Refreshments were also on hand including Easter sugar cookies from DDs Bakery.

In May 2007, the center will celebrate its fifth year in business. Since opening its doors, on Bucktail Rd., the center draws patients from a seven county area.

According to the center's statistics, 80 percent of eye patients are from out of town. Wortman said cataract is the most requested procedure at the center.

She stressed how ambulatory surgery centers offer a lower-cost alternative for patients needing surgery, usually with smaller co-insurance costs for the patient.

"Surgery is advancing more and more with newer equipment, all of which are ideal for efficiency and safety," Wortman said.

She added the center sees many repeat customers, confident in enlisting its services for multiple procedures.

Joining the staff of at least 10 nurses and six staff members are a plethora of area doctors including; Jay Arlick, D.M.D - oral and maxillofacial surgery, Lei Chen, M.D. - gynecology, David Johe, M.D. - orthopedic surgery, K.C. Joseph, M.D. - general surgery, Wu Jan Lin, M.D., - gynecology, Luis W. Lu, M.D. - ophthalmology, A. Nandhakumar, M.D. - chief of anesthesia, Jeffrey Rice, D.M.D. - oral and maxillofacial surgery, David Sanderson, D.P.M. - podiatry, Gary Smith, D.P.M - podiatry and N. Subramany, M.D. - general surgery.

Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc., the center offers a wide variety of surgical procedures. Most routinely offered are breast and other biopsies, carpal tunnel release, colonoscopy, D&C, EGD, hemorrhoid removal, hernia repair, hysteroscopies, knee and shoulder arthroscopy, tooth extraction, trigger finger release, tubal ligation, varicose vein removal and vasectomy.

 Additional information can be found at www.rascstmarys.net.