- AdventHealth

In 2002, surgeons at the Shull Institute for Surgical Robotics at Shawnee Mission Health were the first in a five-state area to use robotic surgery.
Now, 15 years later, SMH recently reached the significant milestone of 4,000 robotic procedures. Using a surgical system called da Vinci, the minimally-invasive technology lessens patient recovery time, shortens hospital stays, and ultimately improves clinical outcomes.
"This milestone is a tribute to the value of teamwork and Shawnee Mission Health's commitment to caring for our community," said Brenda Shoup, MD, gynecological oncology surgeon. "Robotic surgery is beneficial to a variety of patients, including those who have been diagnosed with gynecological cancer, because the surgical procedure results in less tissue damage and trauma."
In addition to gynecological oncology procedures, surgical robotics is used in a variety of cases at SMH including urology; pelvic floor reconstructions to treat issues such as incontinence or prolapse; and benign gynecology and cancerous surgeries, including colorectal and general surgeries.
SMH surgeons operate the robotic-surgical system from a computer that controls a surgical arm unit guided by a camera with magnification that is 10 times higher than what can be seen by the human eye. Master controls work like forceps that respond to input in real time and translate the surgeons hand movements to precisely guide miniaturized instruments, allowing surgeons to perform various types of surgeries through dime-sized incisions.
As a result, patients can return to their normal activities sooner than traditional surgery and are at lower risk of developing an infection.
For more information about SMH's Surgical Robotics Program, please call the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center at
Call913-676-7777.
Recent News
Every year, the American Heart Association recognizes programs that perform exceptionally in the area of stroke. We are proud to announce AdventHealth Avista, AdventHealth Littleton, AdventHealth...
Following AdventHealth’s mission to help team members, guests and patients Feel Whole, AdventHealth Castle Rock officially opened the Pittman Pathway Wellness Trail with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
AdventHealth Millenia ER is celebrating its first anniversary of providing lifesaving, whole-person care to residents and visitors in West Orlando.
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale now offers life-saving stroke care with a new minimally invasive procedure, improving survival rates and quality of life.
The hospital’s three-story expansion will be completed in summer 2026.
Dr. Jason Jennings, orthopedic surgeon with AdventHealth Medical Group Colorado Joint Replacement at Porter, was selected to present his research findings at the 3rd International Consensus Meeting on...
When it comes to back health, how you sleep matters just as much as how you move during the day. According to Dr. Sharad Rajpal, a neurosurgeon at AdventHealth Avista, your nighttime habits can either...
Personal experiences and the desire to give back inspired AdventHealth Avista ICU Manager Megan May to pursue a career in nursing. Her journey began in the very halls of Avista, where as a child she...
July marks Fibroid Awareness Month—a time to spotlight a condition that affects an estimated 26 million women across the United States.
Aimee Keller-Pickford to serve as CEO of AdventHealth Winter Garden; Sheila Rankin to lead AdventHealth Winter Park.
AdventHealth Waterman becomes the first and only hospital in Lake and Sumter counties to offer Aquablation therapy, a new option for men with an enlarged prostate.
Dr. Tim Hendrix, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Centra Care, shares simple, smart tips to help you and your family stay healthy and feel whole all summer long.