Robotic surgery has revolutionized the field of surgical care, providing patients with minimally invasive options that lead to shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries. Recently, WVU Medicine enhanced its surgical capabilities by acquiring two new da Vinci Surgical System Xi robots.
“WVU Medicine is committed to growing and advancing the surgical care we provide,” said Kristy Ward, M.D., M.A.S., director of Gynecologic Oncology at the WVU Cancer Institute and chair of the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital Robotics Committee. “It is important that we equip our current and future surgeons with the tools they need to expertly care for our patients.”
With this latest addition, the total number of robotic surgical devices at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital has risen to seven, comprising six Xi systems and one single-port device. This expansion positions the facility as the largest robotic surgical program in West Virginia and among the largest in the tri-state area.
“We are proud of this accomplishment and what it means for our community, both now and in the future,” Ward stated.
The robotic systems are currently employed in various specialties, including cardiac, thoracic, urology, gynecology, bariatric, ENT, colorectal, liver/pancreas, pediatric and general surgeries. Moreover, these robots play an integral role in education and training, with a dedicated Xi robot located at the WVU Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) at the WVU Health Sciences Center. This training hub allows surgeons from across the region, as well as surgical residents from Ruby, to refine their skills.
Looking ahead, Ward foresees continued growth for the robotic surgery program at Ruby and throughout the WVU Health System, noting that many departments are actively seeking to recruit new robotic surgeons.
“Most departments are recruiting new robotic surgeons,” she added. “We are going to continue to grow our program at Ruby and across all of the WVU Health System.”
For more information about WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org.
