Waukegan sixth-grader wins contest to name Vista robot

The new name for a $2 million, state-of-the-art surgical system will now be “Mr. Roboto,” thanks to Gabriela Lanza, a sixth-grader from St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan.

Lanza submitted the winning entry in Vista Health System’s “Name the Robot” contest following a Demo Day for Vista’s new da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System.

Students, staff and members of the public had the opportunity to sit at the controls of the robot during the open event Sept. 30 in the main lobby of Vista Medical Center East, 1324 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan.

Gabriela submitted the name “Mr. Roboto,” which was randomly selected from a group of finalists by Barbara Martin, Vista’s president and CEO.

Kim Needham, assistant CEO, visited St. Anastasia to congratulate Gabriela and present her with a Vista duffle bag filled with Vista Health System goodies.

“The da Vinci robot helps the surgeon to see better, therefore work better,” said Dr. Frank Sun, a leading GYN surgeon, who gave mini workshops on the da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System. “The robot’s hands get me to places I might not have been before.”

The da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System is the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology available. 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.

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