Local Students Get a Hands-On Demo, Learn About Robotic Surgical Technology at AdventHealth Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., October 28, 2019 – On Oct. 23, Mainland High School and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students visited AdventHealth Daytona Beach to get a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital’s new da Vinci® Xi surgical system, an advanced technology to perform robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery.

The STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students from Mainland High School and the department of human factors and behavioral neurobiology students from ERAU had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on demonstration, using a virtual reality simulator and the robotic surgical technology to manipulate small rubber bands within a foam model called “sea spikes.”

This learning opportunity was part of a celebration of AdventHealth Daytona Beach and AdventHealth Palm Coast’s new surgical option for patients. Called the da Vinci Xi, this versatile and flexible robotic system enables surgeons at both hospitals to perform minimally invasive surgeries with smaller incisions, less pain and faster recoveries.

The da Vinci Xi surgical system enables Dr. Steven Bower, Dr. Steven Brown, Dr. John Cascone, Dr. Evan Fynes, Dr. Farhaad Golkar, Dr. Patrick Mangonon, and Dr. Katherine Williams to perform robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery for colorectal, general surgery, gynecologic, thoracic, and urologic procedures.

The term “robotic” doesn’t mean that robots are performing surgery. Instead, the surgeon operates by guiding the da Vinci Xi instruments via a console. The da Vinci Xi system translates a surgeon’s precise hand movements at the console in real time, bending and rotating the instruments during the procedure. The tiny instruments move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion, making it possible for surgeons to operate through one or a few small incisions. The da Vinci Xi system also delivers highly magnified, 3D high-definition views of the surgical area.

About AdventHealth Daytona Beach
AdventHealth Daytona Beach has 362-beds and is one of the six hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. Formerly known as Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, the organization’s parent company changed the name of all wholly-owned entities to AdventHealth on Jan. 2, 2019. Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care. With more than 80,000 team members, AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in nearly a dozen states. With the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth Daytona Beach provides whole person care to heal the body, mind and spirit. For more information about AdventHealth Daytona Beach, visit AdventHealthDaytonaBeach.com.

Photo Caption:
AdventHealth Daytona Beach has a new surgical option for patients. Called the da Vinci Xi, this versatile and flexible robotic system enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries with smaller incisions, less pain and faster recoveries. As part of the celebration for this new technology, AdventHealth Daytona Beach hosted students from Mainland High School and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and provided a hands-on experience with the new surgical system.