Earlier this month, Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital joined an elite group. It is now among just a few dozen Critical Access Hospitals across the U.S. to offer robotic-assisted surgery – and the first Critical Access Hospital in Oregon to use it as an alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy. “This is an amazing moment for our small and thriving community hospital,” said Aimee Thompson, chair of the Pacific Communities Health District board of directors. “The da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery system is a showcase of technological achievement. It represents an enormous advancement in safe and precise surgical procedures,” Thompson said. “The investment made by Samaritan Health Services and the Pacific Communities Health District affirms their dedication to this hospital and to our community. We are so appreciative.”
The milestone was celebrated at an open house held Monday, April 15. Those who attended the invitation-only open house were allowed to enter the robotic-assisted surgery suite after putting on surgical bunny suits, bouffant caps and shoe covers. There, they had a closeup view of the high-tech da Vinci system, and several of them also took turns at the
ergonomic surgeon’s console to experience the ease and precision now available to surgeons. Some manipulated the tools to pick up and place tiny rubber bands on top of little cones while others picked up a penny and flipped it over to see the statue of Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial, under extreme 3D magnification.
One of the open house attendees was Ralph Breitenstein, MD, who has served on the PCHD
board for the past decade and was a determined advocate for the robotic surgery program in
Newport. He was surprised with the announcement that the robotic surgery suite would be
named in his honor and that a wall plaque would be placed outside its doors to remind all who
enter of his many valuable contributions. The da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery system has been in use at the Newport hospital since early April. This cutting-edge technology empowers surgeons in Newport with enhanced precision and control while conducting procedures.
