FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Saint Agnes Medical Center is expanding health care services across the Central Valley by incorporating robotically-assisted surgery, aiming to improve patient outcomes and broaden access to specialized care.<\/p>\n
Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Kashif Malik, said the hospital is leading the way in adopting the advanced technology.<\/p>\n
“Saint Agnes is on the cutting edge of robotic surgery. It’s the first institute to kind of implement it in the Valley,” Dr. Malik said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Malik, the only robotic surgeon at Saint Agnes, explained that the technology allows doctors to perform procedures with greater precision.<\/p>\n
“The surgeon sits at a console and uses the robotic arms to perform the dissection. By doing so, patients are subjected to bigger incisions,” Dr. Malik said.<\/p>\n
Using robotic systems, surgeons can operate through smaller incisions while improving visualization and control during procedures. The technology is used in a range of surgeries, including thoracic and cardiac operations.<\/p>\n
“In the past, doing a lobectomy for lung cancer involved making a big incision. Now, you can do it through these small incisions and get it out safely,” Dr. Malik said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Malik said the benefits extend beyond the operating room, improving recovery for patients.<\/p>\n
“The research in the data showed higher turnover times in terms of less stay in the hospital, less pain, more rapid recovery,” he said.<\/p>\n
Hospital leaders say the technology also addresses long-standing gaps in access to specialty care in the region.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mireya Samaniiego, chief ambulatory medical officer at Saint Agnes, said patients in the Valley often had to travel long distances for advanced procedures.<\/p>\n
“It wasn’t uncommon to have patients go to the Bay Area or Southern California. Now, we’re bringing this type of care here so our patients don’t have to travel. They don’t have stress — the emotional, physical and financial stress of having to travel out of the Valley to receive care, “Dr. Samaniiego said.<\/p>\n
Saint Agnes officials said they plan to continue growing their robotic surgery program by recruiting specialists and expanding available services.<\/p>\n
“We are being very intentional about looking for the specialists, recruiting them and bringing them to the Valley to provide those services to our patients,” Dr. Samaniiego said.<\/p>\n
Hospital leaders say the expansion reflects an ongoing effort to improve access to advanced medical care while enhancing the patient experience locally.<\/p>\n
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