SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West invites the community to see the da Vinci robotic surgery system from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 6, at Regional West’s Education Center.

Regional West’s robotic surgery-trained surgeons will demonstrate the da Vinci’s capabilities. Guests will also get the chance to complete robotic surgery simulations on a test console. Regional West Physicians Clinic Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Martha Stricker, MBA, RN, said this gives people of all ages a unique opportunity to see the latest era of surgical innovation in person.

“We are excited to show this innovative technology to the community,” she said. “Whether you’re a patient who may undergo robotic surgery or a student who is considering a career in surgery, you will get a hands-on experience.”

Regional West’s robotic surgery suite opened in Feb. 2020. To date, over 1,300 robotic surgeries have been performed on the da Vinci surgical system at Regional West. Robotic surgery combines the best features of traditional open and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. It can potentially offer less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times, and is best suited for gynecologic, prostate, kidney, gallbladder, hernia, colorectal, and bariatric surgeries.

Bradley Hertzler, MD, MDiv, FACS, a surgeon with Regional West Physicians Clinic-Surgery, Vascular Diagnostics, said robotic surgery offers patients the latest in surgical innovation.

“Robotic surgery is well-suited to many types of surgeries, and it allows our patients to get the best possible surgical care without going far from home. Regional West is proud to offer this service to our region’s patients,” he said. 

Please remember to bring a mask to this event. For questions, call Regional West Physicians Clinic Administration at 308-630-2800. To learn more about da Vinci robotic surgery, visit https://www.rwhs.org/services/surgical-clinics/da-vinci-robotic-surgery-system.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers and approximately 2,000 staff members, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative healthcare services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.