Our practice takes comprehensive care to a higher level with a large team of experienced and qualified physicians. We offer cutting-edge technology like the da Vinci which allows us to perform delicate and complex procedures that may have been difficult or impossible with other methods. If you’re facing surgery, you couldn’t be in better hands.
About Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery. “Minimally invasive” means that instead of operating on patients through large incisions, we use miniaturized surgical instruments that fit through a series of quarter-inch incisions. When performing surgery with the da Vinci—the world’s most advanced surgical robot—these miniaturized instruments are mounted on three separate robotic arms, allowing the surgeon maximum range of motion and precision.
The da Vinci’s fourth arm contains a magnified high-definition 3-D camera that guides the surgeon during the procedure.
pelvic pain, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding. Three providers are currently certified in performing robotically-assisted procedures:
Dr. Mary E. Kownack
Dr. Mary E. Kownack
Mary E. Kownack, M.D. was born and raised in Virginia Beach. After graduating from Bayside High School & Health Sciences Academy, she earned a B.S. in Nuclear and Radiological Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She was inspired by Tidewater Physicians for Women while employed as a Research Coordinator for Tidewater Clinical Research during the summers of 2009-2013. Dr. Kownack graduated with her M.D. from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed her OB/GYN residency at Detroit Medical Center-Wayne State University, where she served as an Administrative Chief Resident. She was deeply honored to receive awards for excellence in resident teaching, compassionate patient care, and midwifery and nursing support during residency.
Dr. Kownack is excited to return home and join Tidewater Physicians for Women in providing comprehensive women’s health care. She enjoys the full scope of women’s health but is especially passionate about helping women navigate pregnancy. She looks forward to building relationships with her patients and their families.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Kownack loves the beach, music, sports, food, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
Dr. Sarah Murphy
Dr. Sarah Murphy
Sarah E. Murphy, DO is a physician at Tidewater Physicians for Women. Dr. Murphy earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech where she focused her studies in dietetics and medicine in society She then earned her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. She completed her OB/GYN residency at East Carolina University – Vidant Medical Center. In addition to her practice, she has also focused her research efforts on decreasing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy through aerobic and strength training exercise. This research was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Murphy looks forward to providing holistic care to her patients in the Virginia Beach area. She has a true passion for comprehensive and preventative women’s health and focuses her practice on a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition and exercise, in both pregnancy and beyond. She cares for patients during all stages of life and practices the full scope of OB/GYN while managing pregnancies and treating various gynecologic concerns. Outside of medicine, Dr. Murphy loves spending time with her husband, friends, and family while having game nights, trying new recipes, and traveling.
Dr. Laurie U. De Grand
Dr. Laurie U. De Grand
Laurie U. De Grand, MD, graduated from Virginia Tech, then went on to earn her degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She then completed a residency in Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and a fellowship in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. She then practiced as a family physician at Ghent Family Medicine for five years.
Dr. De Grand then returned to complete a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in order to provide more comprehensive care to her patients She looks forward to establishing lasting relationships with patients and families as she helps take care of them throughout their lives. Her special interests are obstetrics, lactation medicine, and helping a woman embrace her role as a mother.
Dr. De Grand spends as much time as possible with her three children, family, and friends. She enjoys traveling, audiobooks and podcasts, and exploring Hampton Roads.
Dr. Lee Ouyang
Dr. Lee Ouyang
Dr. Lee Ouyang was born in Texas and raised in New Jersey. After graduating from college at Johns Hopkins University, he worked in Washington, DC, for several years in the medical device consulting field. He completed medical school and OBGYN residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is board certified and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
While in medical school, he was on the board of directors of the EVMS HOPES free clinic, where he gained an appreciation and understanding of the challenges facing underserved patients in our community. He grew to love Hampton Roads and decided to stay in the area for residency and practice.
In addition to a desire to develop and maintain lasting relationships with his patients through the spectrum of OBGYN care, he has an interest in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted gynecological surgery. He has a passion for advocacy and organized medicine, and is actively involved in the Medical Society of Virginia, and is a member of the Virginia delegation to the American Medical Association. He is a member of the EVMS Community Faculty.
He lives in Chesapeake with his wife Jillian and their son.