Methodist Dallas Medical Center Named General Surgery Epicenter Focusing on Liver and Pancreas Robotic-Assisted Surgery
DALLAS — On February 4, Methodist Dallas Medical Center will host its first physician from Houston to observe robotically-assisted hepatobiliary surgery under the hospital’s new Epicenter General Surgery designation. Methodist Dallas was selected as a General Surgery Epicenter by Intuitive Surgical, the maker of the da Vinci® Surgical System. The hospital, a recognized leader in liver and pancreatic surgical care, will now be an elite training center for physicians looking to advance their robotic-surgery capabilities. While Methodist Dallas is classified as a General Surgery Epicenter, the focus of the robotic-training program will be in complex hepatobiliary surgeries including pancreatic cancer.
Methodist Dallas is one of only a few epicenters worldwide skilled on complex robotic-assisted hepatobiliary procedures. Alejandro Mejia, MD, executive medical director organ transplantation at the Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas, leads the epicenter program at Methodist Dallas.
“The selection as a general surgery epicenter for robotic-assisted surgery continues to advance Methodist Dallas’ reputation as a major player in complex pancreatic disease care, says David D. Clark, FACHE, president of Methodist Dallas. The hospital’s surgical prowess in liver and pancreatic surgical procedures sets us apart and attracts patients from around the nation suffering from complex liver and pancreatic disease to Dallas to receive advanced care.”
To be named an epicenter, a facility and surgeon must demonstrate proficiency in robotic-assisted surgical procedures that are teachable, reproducible, and effective, and Methodist Dallas and its affiliated independently practicing surgeons exemplify skill in demanding surgical procedures including liver resections and pancreaticoduodenectomy, commonly referred to a Whipple procedure. Surgeons from around the world will travel to Dallas to observe and learn specialized hepatobiliary robotic-assisted surgical techniques using the da Vinci Surgical System. The designation for general surgery positions Methodist Dallas as one of five centers in Texas and the first to be focused on hepatobiliary robotic-assisted surgery.
Dr. Mejia has extensive experience in hepatobiliary and transplantation surgery and is internationally regarded for his capabilities in Whipple robotic-assisted surgery. Dr. Mejia and the team of medical professionals at Methodist Dallas will now share their broad knowledge with other surgeons as part of the epicenter designation. After visiting Methodist Dallas, surgeons will return to their hospital to initiate successful robotic-assisted surgery programs.
“Robotic-assisted surgery is an innovation that is advancing patient care,” says Dr. Mejia. “When we put the robot tools in the hands of talented surgeons, we are able to enhance their surgical skills. We are pleased to become an epicenter for robotic-assisted surgery focusing on liver and pancreatic surgery procedures.”
Methodist Health System launched robotically-assisted surgery in 2009. In addition to Methodist Dallas, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, and Methodist Richardson Medical Center have extensive robotic-assisted surgery capabilities, offering cardiac, colorectal, general, gynecology, and urology surgery options. The organization’s standard of excellence in patient outcomes and commitment to education is represented in this prestigious designation.
About Methodist Health System
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Dallas-based Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated health care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Eight hospitals and 27 Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the fastest-growing health systems in America, Methodist continues to add facilities and services to enhance patient care along the entire continuum. Additional information is available at MethodistHealthSystem.org. Connect through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
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