Story Posted: 2025-07-23
A New Era in Health Care: The da Vinci Surgical Robot
From the St. Paul’s Hospital and Foundation 2024-2025 Annual Review
In 2022, a transformative leap forward in surgical care was made with the introduction of the da Vinci Surgical Robot to St. Paul’s Hospital. The first robot, named “Daryl” to honour the late son of pivotal donor Merlis Belsher, was brought to the facility by St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation with shared investment from the Ministry of Health. It was the first of its kind in the province, initiating the Provincial Surgical Robotics Program.
The first robot and the Surgical Robotics Program were a triumph and laid the groundwork for the acquisition of a second robotic system by the Ministry of Health, which recognized the value of expanding the program because of the first robot’s impact on patient outcomes and surgical efficiency.
The second robot became operational on November 5, 2024, and its presence has already had a significant effect on the Hospital’s surgical capabilities. Karen Jess, Manager of Nursing for the Operating Room, shares that the new robot is “primarily used for thoracic surgeries, and is also used in gynecological procedures.” She highlights that with the addition of the second robot, teams are able to dedicate the first robot to primarily urological procedures, allowing for a greater number of cases to be performed without scheduling conflicts.
While the second robot has demonstrated impressive results, its full potential is still unfolding. Although Ear, Nose and Throat procedures have not yet begun, training for these surgeries is scheduled for 2025 and will pave the way for further expansion.
Training for staff has moved swiftly, with 90% of OR nursing staff fully trained on the first robot and nearly 40% already trained on the second, ensuring the team is well equipped to utilize both systems to their fullest potential. The Surgical Robotics Program has also attracted attention from across the country, with a team from Newfoundland recently visiting to observe the technology in action as they prepare to launch their own robotics program.
With a total of 882 cases performed across both robots, the future of robotic surgery at St. Paul’s is brighter than ever.