Vista East Hosts Demo Day for da Vinci Surgical Robot Sept. 30

If you've ever wanted sit at the controls of a million-dollar robot, Vista Health System is offering you that chance at a hands-on Demo Day for its new da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System. The da Vinci Demo Day will be held in the main lobby of Vista Medical Center East, 1324 N. Sheridan Rd., Waukegan, on Friday, Sept. 30, from 1 – 3 p.m. The demonstration is free and open to the public with no registration required. Complimentary coffee and lemonade will be provided.

Sixth to eighth grade students from two local schools will be the first to take the da Vinci for a test drive from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. that day. The invited classes are from Jefferson Middle School and St. Anastasia Catholic School, both in Waukegan. Afterward, they will be invited to submit their suggestions for a “Name the Robot” contest. A select number of finalists will be chosen from each school with one winner drawn at random.

The da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System is the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology available. Vista East installed the system in July, and it has been in steady use since for many urologic and gynecologic procedures. The da Vinci system combines a surgeon's skill with precision technology to provide patients with the newest minimally invasive option for hysterectomies, prostatectomies and other procedures. Compared to traditional open surgeries, patients benefit from smaller incisions, minimal bleeding, shorter hospital stays and faster, less painful recoveries.

Dr. Frank Sun, a leading GYN surgeon, will be among the Vista experts on hand to show visitors how to use this amazing technology and discuss its major benefits. “We're excited to demonstrate the advantages of da Vinci robotic surgery,” says Dr. Sun. “Most people like the idea that it will save them pain and reduce their recovery time. The da Vinci gives us a tremendous advantage in offering patients a new option for choosing the most effective, least invasive treatment available for their condition.”

In addition to Dr. Sun, a number of Vista surgeons are fully credentialed in using the da Vinci. They are: Nejd Alsikafi, M.D., Urology/Gynecology; Raza Khan, M.D., Urology; Sutchin Patel, M.D., Urology; Robert Saffrin, M.D., Urology; and Martin Weiner, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology.

For more information about robotic-assisted surgery at Vista, visit www.VistaHealth.com/daVinci.