FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rod Gardner
Publication Specialist
Rod.Gardner@mercy.net
501.622.4513 office
501.276.3838 cell
Contact: Brad Herrick
Director of Community Relations
Brad.Herrick@mercy.net
314-238-4476
Today’s Date: February 23, 2010
St. Joseph’s Mercy announces record $2.4 million donation
to launch first robotic surgical program in Hot Springs region
Solomons lead effort to offer patients advanced surgical technology
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A record $2.4 million in donor gifts to the Mercy Health Foundation – $1 million of which came in a single donation from Hot Springs Village residents Lee and Cherry Solomon – has enabled St. Joseph’s Mercy Health System to launch the first robotic surgical technology program in the Hot Springs region. The revolutionary surgical technology, known as the da Vinci® Surgical System, will allow patients to receive the most advanced care for urology, gynecologic, cardiothoracic and general/pediatric surgical procedures. “This donation is simply our way of giving back to a community that has been very good to us, and insuring a sound medical future for our loved ones and residents of the Hot Springs area,” said Lee Solomon. “As far back as we can remember St. Joseph’s Mercy Health System has always been an organization that is truly sensitive to the needs of patients. We have observed its dedicated physicians, management and staff as they consistently provide the very best in compassionate care with the latest in technology.” While the lead-gift total of $2.4 million will fund the acquisition of the robotic technology and allow St. Joseph’s Mercy to launch its da Vinci Surgical System program, a continual fund-raising campaign has been established to cover ongoing per-case costs, additional surgical arms for specialties other than urology and gynecology and physician recruitment. In addition to the Solomons, other donors whose generous gifts helped comprise the lead-gift total of $2.4 million include Fred and Louise Dierks, St. Joseph’s Mercy Volunteer Auxiliary, Bob and Sunny Evans, Nabholz Charitable Foundation, Martha Hixson Tillman, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and the late Jim Tom and Elizabeth Caplinger. “We are so thankful to the Solomons and other donors for their wonderful gifts of generosity,” said Tim Johnsen, St. Joseph’s Mercy President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we all know, the healthcare landscape is changing. Present economic times are forcing us to work more closely than ever with leaders in the community to provide Hot Springs and the surrounding communities with the most advanced health care possible. “Three years ago, 126 prostate surgeries were done at St. Joseph’s Mercy. That number compares to a total of just seven last year, which tells us many patients from Hot Springs and surrounding communities were forced to travel outside the area for robotic procedures. Now, those procedures can be done right here at home with the latest in technology.” That is music to the ears of Senators Lincoln and Pryor, who through an appropriation secured funds to help with the acquisition of the da Vinci Surgical System at St. Joseph’s Mercy. “I am pleased to have played a role in securing funds to help purchase this robotic surgical system for St. Joseph’s Mercy,” said Senator Lincoln. “It will not only provide state-of-the-art medical treatment for patients in the region, it will allow them to receive life-saving care without having to travel great distances. I have visited St. Joseph’s Mercy on numerous occasions and I deeply appreciate the commitment of its administration and staff to deliver outstanding health care.” “The Mercy Health Foundation provides a vital service for St. Joseph’s Mercy and the Hot Springs community,” added Senator Pryor. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was proud to fight for these funds and enhance the ability of St. Joseph’s Mercy to treat patients with cutting-edge technology.” Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the most technologically advanced surgical platform available in today’s market, the physician operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3D high-definition image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient. Many surgical procedures performed today using a standard laparoscopic technique may be performed more quickly and easily using the da Vinci Surgical System. This is because the da Vinci Surgical System delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same “look and feel” of an open surgery. For the patient, benefits may include less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, less scaring, a shorter hospital stay and faster rehabilitation and recovery. The da Vinci Surgical System is used primarily for urology, gynecologic, cardiothoracic and general/pediatric surgical procedures. A prostatectomy with the da Vinci has rapidly become the number one choice for the treatment of prostate cancer. Moreover, the hysterectomy procedure with the da Vinci is receiving widespread attention as a promising approach that can overcome many of the technical limitations of conventional laparoscopy. “The future of medicine is coming to the Hot Springs region with the acquisition of the da Vinci Surgical System. I truly love my career as a physician, and I am motivated by excellence and always looking for ways to improve,” said St. Joseph’s Mercy Clinic obstetrician/gynecologist Jaime Cardenas, M.D. “Robotic surgery does not replace the skill and expertise of physicians, but instead allows for the routine and confident performance of complex surgical procedures using a minimally invasive approach. Imagine a minimally invasive procedure as an alternative to a traditional hysterectomy. That is something to get very excited about.” Surgeons will begin training on the daVinci Surgical System in the next few weeks, while installation and initial surgeries on the system will begin in April. St. Joseph’s Mercy will soon be announcing several events in the community that will educate residents about the benefits of the new robotic surgical system. A member of the Sisters of Mercy Health System, St. Joseph’s is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare organization. For more information on the three large-company Gold Awards and Ambassador Award St. Joseph’s Mercy has received at Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards ceremonies over the last four years, as well as services and employment opportunities presently being offered, please visit saintjosephs.com.
