One Year Later: Robotic-Assisted Surgery at Saint Mary’s Keeps Care Close to Home

One year ago, Saint Mary’s Regional Health System reached an important milestone in surgical care with the launch of robotic-assisted surgery, bringing advanced, minimally invasive technology to patients across the River Valley. Since that time, the program has grown steadily, expanding access to high-quality surgical options close to home while enhancing precision, recovery and outcomes for patients.

Over the past year, Saint Mary’s surgical team has completed 436 robotic-assisted procedures in general surgery and gynecology, performed by general surgeons Dr. James Johnson, Dr. Mateo Guarderas and Dr. Tessa Henry and OB/GYN Dr. Suzanna Chatterjee-Morris.

“Reaching the one-year mark is something our team is incredibly proud of,” said Bridget Davis, director of surgical services at Saint Mary’s. “Robotic surgery has allowed us to elevate the level of care we provide, giving surgeons greater control and patients a smoother recovery experience, all while keeping advanced care right here in our community.”

Unlike many facilities that offer robotic surgery only during scheduled hours, Saint Mary’s provides 24/7 access to robotic-assisted surgery, ensuring the technology is available not just for planned procedures but also for emergencies. That around-the-clock access has made a meaningful difference for patients requiring urgent care.

In one case, a patient arrived at Saint Mary’s emergency department around 2 a.m. with severe stomach pain and was quickly diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Thanks to immediate access to the robotic system and a trained surgical team, she underwent an emergency robotic appendectomy overnight and was back home resting on her couch by 11 a.m. the same morning.

Stories like this highlight how robotic surgery impacts real lives, not just outcomes on paper. Patients frequently report quicker recoveries, smaller scars and less disruption to their daily lives.

“Implementing a program like this takes far more than the technology itself,” Davis said. “It requires extensive training, constant readiness and a team committed to delivering the same high standard of care at 2 a.m. as they do at 2 p.m.”

As Saint Mary’s enters its second year of robotic-assisted surgery, the focus remains on growing the program responsibly while maintaining exceptional patient outcomes.

To learn more about robotic assisted surgery at Saint Mary’s, visit www.saintmarysregional.com/robot.