Medical Center in Alma Now Offering State-of-the-Art Robotic Surgery

The surgical team at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma prepares the surgical suite for a da Vinci robotic surgery. The robotic technology puts a surgeons’ hands at the controls to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions. 

MyMichigan Medical Center Alma is advancing its surgical expertise with the arrival of the da Vinci^® Xi surgical robotic platform in its surgical department. The technology puts a surgeons’ hands at the controls to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through tiny incisions.

“Fresh on the heels of the opening of our new surgical services area, we are excited to announce the addition of this cutting-edge technology supported by physician expertise,” said Marita Hattem-Schiffman, F.A.C.H.E., C.P.M.S.M., president, MyMichigan Medical Centers in Alma, Clare and Mt. Pleasant. “This da Vinci robotic system actually extends our surgeon’s skills; it does not replace them. Our patients will benefit from smaller incisions, less pain, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and less scarring.”

During a procedure, the surgeon sits at a computer console, where they view images from inside the body and use hand controls to maneuver the da Vinci’s robotic arms. An eyepiece and endoscope magnify intricate procedures in high-definition detail. The da Vinci’s interactive arms can move the surgeon’s tools back and forth, side to side and can rotate in a full circle.

“This technology takes surgery to new levels, and, most importantly, there is still a human presence behind the system,” said Nikki Schmidt, M.S.N, R.N., C.N.O.R., C.N.L., director of nursing, perioperative services and maternal child health at MyMichigan Medical Centers in Alma and Clare. “With high-quality images and greater range of motion, our surgeons can make extremely precise maneuvers impossible with the human hand alone.”

Surgeons can use the da Vinci for many different types of surgeries. Currently, the surgeons that will be using the da Vinci robotic system include bariatric and general surgeons Jeffrey Bonacci, M.D. and Ernest Cudjoe, M.D. and obstetrician/gynecologist Jennifer Schmidt, D.O. Bariatric, gallbladder, hernia and hysterectomy are a few of the surgeries that will be performed at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma using the da Vinci system. Patients who are candidates for surgery should talk with their providers to decide the right options for their specific surgery.

“This modernization ensures that we can provide a full range of surgical procedures in the most current environment and be prepared for the future,” adds Hattem-Schiffman. “Over the past few years, we have recruited new surgeons who offer new services but without the renovation of our surgical departments, and the addition of da Vinci robotics, we never would have attracted them. Robotic surgery is becoming the standard in surgeon training and is essential to ensuring central Michigan communities can receive excellent surgical care well into the future.”

MyMichigan Medical Center Alma will be hosting a community open house in April and will offer the community the opportunity to witness firsthand the capabilities of the da Vinci surgical system. Attendees will have the chance to interact with the Alma surgical team, experience live demonstrations and gain insights into the future of minimally invasive surgery. Refreshments will be served.

Those interested in more information about the da Vinci are encouraged to speak to their provider. Those interested in a physician referral may visit www.mymichigan.org/doctors or call MyMichigan Health Line at (989) 837-9090 or toll-free at (800) 999-3199.