10 Memorial Medical Milestones • 2026 Issue 1 With a growing family of robotic surgical technology, LCMHS is ensuring that patients can receive advanced surgical care close to the people and community they love. At Lake Charles Memorial Health System, innovation is more than an upgrade—it’s a reflection of commitment to the people of southwest Louisiana. Over the past several years, Memorial has expanded its family of roboticassisted surgical systems, reinforcing its mission to improve health through superior care, innovative service and compassion. A new era of surgery Robotic-assisted surgery may sound futuristic, but at its heart, it’s about enhancing a surgeon’s precision and strengthening patient outcomes. “This technology doesn’t replace the surgeon,” explains Richard Shimer, MD, general and trauma surgeon at Memorial. “It gives us the ability to perform procedures with greater accuracy and control, improving outcomes for our patients.” From gallbladder removal and hernia repairs to joint replacements; lung biopsies; and complex gynecological, urological, cranial and spinal procedures, Memorial’s advanced robotic systems help surgeons navigate even the most delicate procedures. For patients, that can mean shorter hospital stays, less pain and a faster return to everyday life. With a growing family of robotic surgical technology, LCMHS is ensuring that patients can receive advanced surgical care in SWLA. Advanced surgical care, just down the road Expanding access through innovation Bringing robotic-assisted systems to Memorial was more than a technological milestone—it was a promise to make advanced surgical care accessible to all people of southwest Louisiana. Every investment in equipment and advanced training reflects the Health System’s continued focus on quality, safety and service excellence. Memorial’s family of robots is transforming care across multiple specialties: • General surgery— smaller incisions and faster recovery for gallbladder, hernia and cancer surgeries • Gynecology— minimally invasive treatment for fibroids, endometriosis and hysterectomy procedures, allowing for gentler healing • Urology— greater precision and protection of healthy tissue during kidney, bladder and prostate surgeries • Orthopedics— robotic-guided joint replacement that supports more natural movement and longer-lasting mobility • Neurosurgery and spine— real-time imaging via the ExcelsiusGPS for delicate brain and spine procedures, improving safety and recovery • Pulmonology— earlier, more accurate detection of lung nodules and cancerous cells with the Ion robotic system
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