Sarasota Memorial Surpasses 20,000 da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgeries

First Physicians Group surgeons helped Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recently reach a milestone of more than 20,000 robotic-assisted surgeries using the groundbreaking da Vinci surgical system.

SMH, which participated in early clinical trials of robotic technology, was the first hospital in Florida – and among the first in the world – to acquire Intuitive Surgical’s daVinci S robot when it became commercially available in 2006. Over two decades, the company has worked with SMH and other pioneering robotic surgeons to steadily advance and expand the technology, and provide unparalleled precision, dexterity and control in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board purchased its first robotic system for $1.4 million, with support from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, to ensure local physicians and patients had access to advanced technology and treatments that were available only in a few of the nation’s top academic medical centers. Since introducing the first robot, SMH has expanded its robotic capabilities with more than 35 robotic surgeons – 20 of whom are members of First Physicians Group – using the latest da Vinci robotic systems across its two hospital campuses.

Today, SMH’s robotic toolbox includes: two da Vinci 5 robots – Intuitive’s fifth-generation and most advanced system; the da Vinci single port system, uniquely designed for single-incision or natural orifice surgery; four Xi robots, multi-port systems optimized for cancer and highly complex procedures; and two Xi robots in the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute’s simulation and training labs.

“This major milestone reflects the innovation of our surgical teams and SMH’s long-standing commitment to bringing the most advanced care to our community,” said James Fiorica, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. “Robotic-assisted surgery helps many patients recover faster and return to their lives sooner, and we are proud of the pioneering advances of our robotic surgeons and surgical team.”

SMH’s robotic surgical team is using the da Vinci systems across multiple specialties, including general surgery, gynecology and gynecologic oncology, thoracic surgery, urology, and ENT, giving patients access to precision minimally invasive care backed by nearly two decades of local experience.

FPG Physicians currently using da Vinci robotic technology:

Alfredo Cordova, MD

Ashworth Skibicki, MD

Beverly Long, MD

M. Blair Marshall, MD

Christian Schuetz, MD

Daniel Kaplon, MD

Elijah Kim, MD

Eric Suescun, MD

James Fiorica, MD

Kenneth Meredith, MD

Michael Damit, MD

Paul Kuo, MD

Paul Vesco, MD

Pedro Briceno, MD

Peter Vosler, MD

Robert Carey, MD

Samir Agarwal, MD

Sarah Somer, MD

Steven Halbreich, MD

Toni Kilts, DO