When Gregory Miller, M.D., started practicing as an OB-GYN in Rock Hill, South Carolina, more than 30 years ago, he knew he had found something special. A year after he started, his best friend, Christopher Benson, M.D., joined him, and that’s when their legacy began.
For two decades, they built more than an OB-GYN practice in Rock Hill. Due to their well-known expertise, women came from all around the region to see them. Over the years, patients sent their daughters for check-ups, expanding care across generations. Whether it was for obstetrics, advanced gynecological surgery, menopause or annual check-ups, Miller and Benson had a reputation for being the best at all things women’s health.
During a brief time in Beaufort, the pair developed a professional relationship with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MUSC in Charleston. When MUSC Health acquired the Lancaster Medical Center, it became clear that they should consider teaming up to advance women’s health care in Lancaster.
Miller, as well as fellow OB-GYN John Smith, M.D., both began their tenures at MUSC Health Lancaster Women’s Health in September 2024, joining Stephen Coarsey, M.D., in the practice. The team now looks forward to Benson, Miller’s longtime friend and partner, joining them in January. The team is completed by three outstanding advanced practitioners: certified physician assistants Ivanna Ross and Staci Polk and family nurse practitioner Alison Newton.
Miller shared his thoughts on being part of the MUSC family, the practice’s growth and its commitment to providing the highest-quality care to the women of the Catawba area at MUSC Women’s Health at Lancaster Medical Center, MUSC Women’s Health at Chester Medical Center and, soon, at the new medical center in Indian Land.
Q. What is special about this MUSC Health practice?
A. We are a full-service practice, offering extensive OB-GYN services for women at every stage of life. That includes obstetrics, gynecologic surgery, menopause management, infertility, high-risk pregnancies and routine preventive care.
One area where the practice has seen meaningful advances is minimally invasive surgery, including procedures performed using the da Vinci robotic surgical platform. This technology allows some complex surgeries to be performed with smaller incisions, often resulting in less pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times.
We are all well-versed in menopause. We specialize in hormone replacement, including testosterone, which many other locations in the area do not offer. We are also well-versed in hormone pellets, which is cutting-edge technology.
We also specialize in treating problems that arise in young women. Our goal is to take care of women of all ages throughout all phases of life.
Q. How has the connection to MUSC helped your practice?
A. We as a team feel confident shooting higher because of our affiliation with MUSC. The support we feel from what we consider to be the best medical organization in the state gives us the tools to do better for our patients. Being part of MUSC Health provides the practice with access to resources, expertise and support that allow our team to raise the standard of care for our patients.
MUSC came here because they see how important this area is. They were excited to invest in this area. Our team is proud to say we are part of the MUSC team.
Q. What are the team’s goals moving forward?
A. Our practice has one singular goal, and that is to provide the best health care possible to the women of this area. We are continuing to increase our presence locally and in Chester. We are also very excited about our Indian land opportunity. I am even hoping we can look further south, down to the Richburg and Kershaw areas.
The practice also hopes to reach women in surrounding communities who have historically had limited access to OB-GYN care. Many have been underserved for far too long. We want women to know that we are here, and that high-quality care is close to home.
Q. What would you like the women in this area of the state to know about their health?
A. One of the issues we want to stress to our patients is the importance of heart health – this is an issue very near and dear to our hearts. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death for women, yet symptoms are often overlooked or dismissed. Women should not ignore warning signs, such as chest pain, tightness or pressure, shortness of breath or light-headedness, reflux or pain that radiates to the jaw or neck. These can be early signs of a heart attack. They should seek care early, when treatment can make the greatest difference.
Similarly, a patient’s blood pressure, cholesterol, weight issues and diabetes should also be addressed.
Finally, we want women to know they will be listened to here; we are here for them. We know that our patients want to be able to trust us with their care. That is why we don’t just treat the issue in front of us; we treat the whole patient. My colleagues and I look forward to building the best OB-GYN program in the Catawba area.
