UP Health System – Portage Brings Advanced Technology in Urology to the Copper Country

Minimally invasive outpatient laser procedure improves patient outcomes and reduces recovery time.

UP Health System – Portage is pleased to offer the most advanced laser technology to treat kidney and bladder stones and enlarged prostates—benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—in the area. The minimally invasive procedure treats and breaks apart stones in the urinary tract, relieving symptoms like severe back, side, or abdominal pain that comes in waves with nausea and vomiting.

If you feel as though you may be suffering from kidney stones, it is recommended you speak with your primary care provider right away. If your provider believes you have stones, they will order a CT scan to determine the diagnosis. From there, a consult is ordered with board-certified Urologist, Stephen Lipson, MD, to assess next steps with the holmium laser technology. During the procedure—which does not require any incisions—a flexible laser fiber is inserted through a scope (camera) placed in the urinary tract to break up and treat kidney stones.

“The holmium laser is a wonderful service UP Health System – Portage is able to provide to patients in the Upper Peninsula,” said Dr. Lipson. “We can fully treat and remove their stones through a minimally invasive, one-hour outpatient procedure, leaving them with a shorter recovery time. I am proud to offer this innovative technology to further enhance our urology services and the level of quality and safety we provide to our patients.”

Dr. Lipson is the full-time urologist onsite at UP Health System – Portage and is the only provider at the facility performing this procedure, currently for both adult and pediatric patients. He completed his general surgery training at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and his urology training at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. Following medical school, he completed his fellowship at the National Cancer Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Lipson is also a retired Lieutenant Commander for the U.S. Public Health Service.

June is also Men’s Health Month—a great time for all men to step up with a check-up. Take the time to talk to your provider about any health concerns you may have and ask about important preventative health screenings like a colonoscopy, prostate exam, diabetes test, and heart check.

For more information about urology services at UP Health System – Portage, visit UPHeathSytem.com/Urology or call 906.483.1760 to make an appointment. Need a provider? Visit our provider search to get connected with care today.