S. Robert Kovac, MD - John D. Thompson Professor of Gynecologic Surgery
Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Acting Division Director, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Director, Pelvic Surgery Fellowship in Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Academic & Clinical Office Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Emory University School of Medicine
The Emory Clinic Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics 1635 Clifton Road, N.E., 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30322 Patient Appointments · 404-778-3401 skovac@emory.edu
Dr. Kovac received his BA degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and his MD degree at the University of Missouri. He completed a rotating internship at Northwestern University, and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Kovac served as a Major in the United States Army and was a General Surgeon and Co-Hospital Commander in Viet Nam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Combat Medic Badge, and the Viet Nam Paratrooper Wings. He returned stateside and completed Fellowship in Gynecologic Surgery and Urogynecology at Barnes Hospital. Dr. Kovac began his academic career at Washington University School of Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was a member of the Teaching Staff at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center , St. Louis, 1979-1982 and was named Director of the Continence Clinic at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton Ohio, in 1995. Dr. Kovac was Professor and Director, Division of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery and Urogynecology and Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecologic Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics from 1994 to 2000. He joined the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, in 2000.
Dr. Kovac is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; and Fellow, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He is a member of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, Society of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeons (President), American Urogynecological Society, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, American Society of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Southern Medical Association. Dr. Kovac was the Director of the University of Missouri Medical School Foundation and he is Founder and Director of the International Vaginal Surgery Conferences.
Dr. Kovac has been a consultant and has served on numerous committees including Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Educational Objectives,” 1986; Veterans Administration and United States Air Force Ob/Gyn Consultant, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery and Urogynecology; Clerkship Curriculum Committee and Resident Education and Resident Evaluation Committees, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wright State University; and Medical Education Committee (Director) and Continuing Medical Education, Miami Valley Hospital. He has served as an Editorial Consultant for Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Journal of Pelvic Surgery, and International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Kovac has been a guest faculty member at many postgraduate conferences and he is the author and co-author of over 40 journal articles, books and book chapters. He is recognized throughout the world as one of the most experienced and innovative surgeons in the field of pelvic surgery.
Awards, Honors, and Leadership Positions
President, International Board of the Portuguese Society of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeons, 2006-2007
Chairman, Board of the Society of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeons, 2006-2007
Honorary President of the International Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, sponsored by Portuguese Reconstructive Surgeons Society, International Urogynecologic Association, European Pelvic Floor Society
Selected Publications
Kovac SR. Hysterectomy outcomes in patients with similar indications. Obstet Gynecol (Lead Article) 2000;95:787-93.
Kovac SR. Decision directed hysterectomy: a possible approach to improve medical and economic outcomes. Int J Gynecol Obstet (Lead Article) 2000;71:159-69.
Kovac Sr, Barhan S, Lister M, Bishop M, Tucker L, Das A. Testing the Society of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeons guidelines to determine the route of hysterectomy in a resident clinic population.
Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2002;187(6):1521-7
Kovac SR. Endoscopic linear endocutter versus sutures for vaginal hysterectomy. J Pelvic Surg. (Lead Article) 2002; 8:5:237-240.
Kovac SR. Current Commentary: Transvaginal Hysterectomy: Rationale and Surgical Approach. Am J Obstet Gynecol. June 2003; 103:6:1321-1325.
Books and Chapters
Kovac SR. Endoscopic linear endocutter versus sutures for vaginal hysterectomy. J Pelvic Surg. (Lead Article)2002; 8:5:237-240.
Kovac SR. Current Commentary: Transvaginal Hysterectomy: Rationale and Surgical Approach. Am J Obstet Gynecol. June 2003; 103:6:1321-1325.
Textbook of Vaginal Surgery: Kovac SR, Zimmerman C, ed. Lippincott, Philadelphia , PA. In Press.