News & Events

Diego Illanes, MD joins as Chief of Urogyencology

10/02/2019
Dr. Illanes in a white coatTufts Medical Center announced today that Diego Illanes, MD, FACOG, FACS, has been named Chief of Division of Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Illanes joins Tufts MC from Reliant Medical Group where he was the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

“We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Diego Illanes join Tufts MC and lead the Division of Urogynecology. He is a talented and experienced surgeon and an outstanding educator and mentor,” said Errol R. Norwitz, MD, PhD, MBA, former Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts Medical Center. “His leadership and track record of building successful community-based practices will be a real asset to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.” 

With expertise in minimally invasive methods, Dr. Illanes utilizes physical therapy, nutritional and multidisciplinary approaches, and when necessary, surgery, to assure patients an easier recovery and faster return to work and activity, with a reduced reliance on opioids. He sees patients for a wide variety of conditions, including urinary and fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis (also known as painful bladder syndrome), uterine prolapse, recurring urinary tract infections and the repair of bladder and bowel fistulas.

“With these complex cases, it can be like night and day,” said Dr. Illanes. “A repair that can be done in two or three hours gets the patient home the same day and really changes her quality of life.” 

Dr. Illanes is very interested in resident surgical education, particularly in vaginal surgery and robotics training. His research interests include biomaterials, with special interest in the use of stem cells to enhance outcomes in pelvic floor surgery. 

A former United States Air Force flight surgeon, originally from Argentina, Dr. Illanes earned his medical degree from the Universidad Católica de Córdoba. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at University of Massachusetts Medical School. He makes his home in West Roxbury, Mass. with his wife Katarina Illanes and their two daughters, Julie and Emilia. 

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About Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Children's Hospital
Tufts Medical Center is an exceptional, not-for-profit, 415-bed academic medical center that is home to both a full-service hospital for adults and Tufts Children's Hospital. Conveniently located in downtown Boston, the Medical Center is the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. The Medical Center features a level one trauma center with rooftop helipad, the largest heart transplant center in New England and a renowned research program, ranking among the top 10 percent of independent hospitals to receive federal research funding. A physician network of 1,800 New England Quality Care Alliance doctors represents our strong commitment to health in the community. Tufts Medical Center is a founding member of Wellforce. For more information, visit www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org.