Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside expands care with robotic system

Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside is elevating its promise of compassionate, advanced care with the arrival of the da Vinci Single Port (SP) robotic system. This innovative surgical approach allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through a single, tiny incision, marking a significant advancement for patients.

Unlike traditional methods that require multiple incisions, the da Vinci SP system offers a smoother and faster path to recovery by making it easier for the body to heal.

Benefits to patient include:

• Less pain and scarring: Procedures performed through a single entry point help significantly reduce post-operative pain and minimize the visual evidence of surgery.

• Faster recovery: Patients can often return to their lives and loved ones sooner thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the single-port approach.

• Advanced care, close to home: The addition of the da Vinci SP ensures the community has access to the world’s most sophisticated surgical platforms, delivered by highly skilled care teams right here in Jacksonville.

“When our patients face a complex diagnosis, they can rest easy knowing they have access to the most advanced care available, right here,” said Scott Kashman, president and CEO for Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside and interim market lead for Ascension St. Vincent’s. “This new surgical capability reflects the dedication of our entire care team to raise the bar for what is possible at Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside, and we are committed to continuing that work every day.”

This expansion reinforces Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside as a pioneer in robotic surgery, following its distinction as one of the first hospitals in the world to add the cutting-edge da Vinci 5 Robot in 2024.

The da Vinci SP will be used by surgeons for many complex surgical procedures to help care for patients with both benign and malignant conditions. Surgeons remain in full control of every operation.

“The Single Port gives us the ability to access challenging areas of the body through one small incision while maintaining excellent visualization and dexterity,” said Dr. Martin Martino, Medical Director of Gynecological Oncology and Advanced Women’s Health Chair of the Robotic Surgery Program for Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside. “This is about more than technology; it’s about elevating the standard of care our patients deserve and giving them the best possible outcomes.”

Board-certified surgeons at Ascension St. Vincent’s utilize robotic technology for bariatric, general, gynecologic, lung, orthopedics, spine and urologic surgeries.