Endometriosis is an inflammatory chronic pelvic pain disease affecting an estimated 200 million women and adolescents worldwide. Symptoms of endometriosis can begin around the first menses, and due to the presence of scar tissue and adhesions, pain and other symptoms may persist beyond menopause. This debilitating condition significantly impacts the quality of life of those affected. March is recognized as Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the disease. In honor of this observance, we highlight Dr. Horace Roman, an SRC-accredited Master Surgeon in Complex Endometriosis Care, exploring what excellence in treatment entails and how he has contributed to advancements and increased access to high-quality endometriosis care in France.
Dr. Horace Roman: A Pioneer in Endometriosis Surgery
At a time when many gynecologists had limited knowledge of endometriosis and its symptoms, Dr. Horace Roman dedicated his career to this complex surgical specialty. While completing his OB/GYN residency in 2002, he was struck by how little was known about the origin and progression of endometriosis. Additionally, few specialists were equipped to handle the complex cases and challenging surgeries required for endometriosis care. Recognizing this critical gap, he dedicated his clinical research entirely to endometriosis, becoming one of the first surgeons in France to specialize exclusively in the disease by 2004.
Dr. Roman’s lifelong pursuit of excellence extends into the operating room, where he remains dedicated to advancing endometriosis care. He explains, “I try to provide the best management to patients with endometriosis, not only from a surgical point of view, but also from their first step into our department to several years after the surgery.” His approach emphasizes individualized treatment, considering patients’ quality of life, future family plans, and disease severity. Dr. Roman prioritizes listening to his patients’ concerns and desires to ensure they receive the high-quality care and outcomes they deserve.
Overcoming Barriers in Endometriosis Care
Dr. Roman has dedicated his career to identifying and addressing the key barriers that prevent patients from receiving effective endometriosis care. One of the biggest challenges is the limited access to qualified endometriosis specialists, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Without access to specialized care, many patients are prescribed hormonal therapies as the primary treatment to manage lesions. However, these treatments often come with significant side effects. Limited research on the disease’s origin, progression, and subtypes has led to a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment—often failing to meet individual patient needs. As a result, patients with milder cases may be overtreated, while those with severe endometriosis may not receive the level of care they need.
To overcome these barriers and expand access to specialized care, Dr. Roman and his team at Rouen University Hospital founded France’s first dedicated endometriosis center in 2013. This achievement was made possible through the support and funding of the Regional Agency of Health in Normandy. In 2018, Dr. Roman established IFEMEndo (Franco-European Multidisciplinary Institute of Endometriosis), which has since become a national model for specialized endometriosis care. The institute also serves as a premier training center for surgeons worldwide. To date, more than 350 surgeons from six continents have trained at IFEMEndo.
Dr. Roman’s team played a key role in France’s National Strategy Against Endometriosis, launched by President Emmanuel Macron in 2021. Their contributions have helped drive nationwide improvements in endometriosis care.
The Importance of SRC Accreditation in Complex Endometriosis Care
In 2019, Dr. Roman and IFEMEndo sought accreditation from SRC, earning recognition as both a Center of Excellence in Complex Endometriosis Care and a Master Surgeon in Complex Endometriosis Care. Despite two decades of experience managing complex cases, Dr. Roman often faced the question: Why pursue SRC accreditation after so many years in practice?
He reflects, “The answer is simple. When I began specializing in endometriosis surgery in 2004, only a few surgeons in France were dedicated to the field. Today, more specialists are emerging, but simply stating, ‘I excised the lesions,’ does not guarantee a comprehensive excision of complex endometriosis.”
Dr. Roman further emphasized the need for structured certification, adding, “I believe structured certification is necessary—ensuring objective, independently evaluated criteria that eliminate conflicts of interest or personal biases.”
Performing over 300 complex endometriosis surgeries annually—99% of them minimally invasive—IFEMEndo champions rigorous selection criteria to ensure only the most qualified centers and surgeons receive accreditation.
SRC’s accreditation is more than a certificate—it represents a commitment to excellence, ensuring the highest quality of care for every patient. Discussing its impact on his practice, Dr. Roman noted, “While accreditation hasn’t directly changed how we provide care, it reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards. The on-site visits from SRC inspectors prompt us to continuously evaluate and refine our processes.”
Sustaining Excellence in Surgical Care
To maintain the highest standards of quality and safety, SRC-accredited providers undergo a rigorous review process every three years. Each year, SRC’s quality improvement specialists work closely with accredited providers to analyze outcomes data, celebrate successes, and offer insights for continued improvement. This ongoing collaboration reinforces SRC’s commitment to global healthcare excellence and long-term partnerships with leading surgical specialists.
Dr. Roman compares surgery to a fine art, explaining, “Surgery is a manual craft, like painting or sculpting. Consequently, the results vary from one surgeon to another, depending on skill, experience, the number of similar patients managed in the past, personal beliefs, talent, and tenacity. Patients with severe conditions can trust that I have treated similarly complex cases before, allowing them to benefit from my extensive experience.”
Surgeons like Dr. Roman exemplify SRC’s mission: recognizing the most skilled specialists who drive innovation in surgical techniques and research, ultimately expanding access to high-quality care worldwide. In surgery, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. SRC continues to identify top surgical experts worldwide, rigorously evaluating their expertise and connecting patients with the highest level of care.
With over 35 surgical accreditation programs, SRC’s Find A Provider tool helps patients easily locate accredited specialists near them.
Look for the seal. Expect Excellence.
