UH Lake West Surgeon Expands Options for Patients

UH Clinical Update | June 2025

University Hospitals surgeon Jill Peysha, MD, wears many hats at UH Lake West Medical Center. She’s an active colon and rectal surgeon, acting Director of General Surgery and Trauma Medical Director of the medical center’s Level 3 Trauma Center. But beyond this considerable workload, Dr. Peysha is determined that the team at UH Lake West is optimally equipped to give their patients the latest and greatest surgical options – namely, robotic surgery.

Jill Peysha, MD

“I really love robotic surgery,” she says. “I think it's great for patients, and I think it's great for surgeons and the team.”

To that end, Dr. Peysha recently led a Saturday class to make the robot at UH Lake West more accessible to the team.

“We had the robot tech come in with equipment, and we practiced on a mannequin,” she says. “Participants could exchange the instruments, they could drape and do the things that we do without it being a sterile, more high-pressure environment.”

“This provided a more relaxed and informal setting for staff to delve into the intricacies of robotic surgery,” says Robyn Strosaker, MD, Market Chief Operating Officer. “This initiative demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement and her dedication to supporting the professional development of her colleagues and OR staff. The staff deeply appreciate Dr. Peysha’s willingness to invest her personal time to make it happen.”

In recognition of this and other work, UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, recently named Dr. Peysha a “Dinner with the Doc” honoree.

Dr. Peysha has been with UH since November 2022, after relocating from a position in Virginia. She completed her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and her medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Following residency training in general surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, she completed fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery at Allegheny Health Network in Pennsylvania.

In just a short time at UH, Dr. Peysha has already made a lasting impression, Dr. Strosaker says.

“Dr. Peysha’s contributions extend far beyond her surgical expertise,” she says. “She is highly respected and well-liked by the OR and anesthesia staff, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. She is a gifted teacher, generously sharing her knowledge and experience with colleagues. Despite her demanding schedule, which includes a significant patient load and her leadership responsibilities, Dr. Peysha consistently makes time to support her fellow general surgeons. Her willingness to assist her counterparts, even when she is already busy, speaks volumes about her dedication and character. Dr. Peysha exemplifies leadership, professionalism, and, most importantly, compassion. She demonstrates this compassion not only towards her patients but also towards her staff and co-workers.”

It's this focus on compassion, Dr. Peysha says, and how people move through the experience of surgery that defines her approach to patient communication.

“Surgery is scary for anybody, and a lot of the times when we're getting these more urgent cases, they may not know what's wrong,” she says. “Then when we figure out what's wrong, we're rushing them to surgery quickly thereafter. There’s not a lot of time for having long discussions like we can do in the office.”

“As a result, I just try to talk to patients like they're my family and explain to them like somebody who's not in the medical field so that they can understand it,” she adds. “It’s so important that patients understand, because at the end of the day, it's their body and they should know what's going on with it. I try to explain in as much detail the process and plan for surgery so that they can understand the risks and benefits of what we're doing.”

To nominate a physician for this honor, download the Cliff Appreciates Nomination Form.