A generous gift from John Shipp, Ph.D., a nationally known inventor, physicist, and businessman, and his wife Reba – who reside in Atlantic Beach, Florida – will support research efforts in the Division of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC). Established in 1998, this renowned program brings together a variety of medical specialists who are dedicated to offering laparoscopic and advanced surgery options for patients with disorders of the stomach, esophagus, and other solid organs.

Dr. and Mrs. Shipp and their family have committed $250,000 to establish the John & Reba Shipp Minimally Invasive Surgery Endowment benefiting CMC. The Endowment will be designated to support the work of clinical and research fellows under the oversight of Todd Heniford, M.D, Director of CMC’s minimally invasive surgery program. Since its inception, this prestigious program has attracted more than 2,000 physicians from the United States and around the world – all of whom have come to CMC for mentoring and advanced training.

Dr. Heniford and his team will use this new charitable funding to pioneer new techniques, particularly in the areas of minimally invasive cancer surgery, esophageal and liver surgery, and other related fields. In addition, they will further examine the results of minimally invasive surgery, which current research indicates has significantly reduced complications and shortened healing time.

The Shipp family developed an exceptional appreciation for the minimally invasive surgery program at CMC in 2008, after Dr. Heniford and his team supplied comprehensive life-saving medical care for Dr. Shipp’s mother, who is now recovered and recently celebrated her 91st birthday.

 “We are deeply grateful to the Shipp family for their vision and generosity,” said Dr. Heniford. “Their gracious gift will enable CMC to pursue new research and also heighten our visibility as a nationally recognized physician training center in the advancing field of minimally invasive surgery.” 

An acclaimed inventor, Dr. Shipp holds over 100 patents and is known for creating devices that are used in fields ranging from land surveying to laparoscopic surgery. He has established a remarkable scientific legacy through his array of unique and useful inventions. Now, he and his family have established an extraordinary philanthropy legacy that will perpetuate inventiveness and creativity in the research efforts of talented young surgeons at Carolinas Medical Center.