Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital proudly celebrates a significant achievement in robotic-assisted surgery. Dr. Marie Awad-Alexander and Dr. Derek Ornelas have each successfully completed more than 1,000 robotic surgery cases. This remarkable milestone is not only a significant achievement in their medical careers, but it also underscores Mercy Health’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, innovative surgical care so patients can receive the care they need close to home.
Dr. Awad-Alexander, who has been utilizing robotic-assisted surgery since 2016, highlighted the significant impact of this technology on her practice. “Robotic surgery has enhanced my practice in more ways than I could have imagined when I incorporated it into my practice. The DaVinci robot has allowed me to perform most elective abdominal surgeries laparoscopically, leading to better surgical outcomes, less pain, and a quicker recovery for patients,” said Dr. Awad-Alexander.
Dr. Ornelas expressed his gratitude for reaching this milestone, stating, “It's really a great milestone! Being able to provide my patients in the Valley with high-quality care using the latest technology is a great privilege. They often experience better outcomes, quicker recovery, and fewer complications compared to other methods. I'm honored to be able to provide that to the community.”
Robotic-assisted surgery helps overcome the limitations of pre-existing minimally-invasive surgical procedures and enhances the capabilities of surgeons. The use of the DaVinci® Surgical System at Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with more precision, dexterity, range of motion and visualization. These surgeries also use smaller incisions, which lead to decreased blood loss, less pain, lower risk of infection and quicker healing time, ultimately benefiting improved outcomes.
Mercy Health continues to respond and adapt to the ever-changing health care needs of Mahoning Valley residents, making strategic investments that meet community demands and increase access to care. This milestone showcases the importance of those strategic investments, as well as Mercy Health’s dedication to providing patients with innovative, high-quality surgical care.