On the day it arrived, surgery team members lead by Amanda Ellis (center), Larry Santiago (right) and Rachael Peacock (left) helped welcome their newest teammate at Adventist Health and Rideout. Photo courtesy of Adventist Health and Rideout

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - For nearly a decade, it has been Dr. Art Garcia’s dream to bring minimally invasive robotic surgery to Adventist Health and Rideout. He trained with the technology extensively during fellowships at UC Davis and UCSF and believed that it was absolutely essential to have the best, most advanced surgical tools available right here in the Yuba-Sutter community.

It’s been quite a journey. But today, Dr. Garcia’s dream has become a reality.

Intuitive’s dV5, the latest in their line of Da Vinci surgical robots, arrived Wednesday (Oct. 29) at Adventist Health and Rideout. The acquisition was made possible through the largest philanthropic commitment to a single project in the history of the Adventist Health Rideout Foundation. This new robotic system will offer patients in the Yuba-Sutter region access to advanced, minimally invasive procedures that result in smaller incisions, less pain, lower infection risk and faster recovery.

For Patience Boudreaux, president of Adventist Health Rideout Foundation, and Heather Peña, foundation board chair, the system is a response to meeting with Rideout physicians and understanding their priorities. Robotic surgery came up countless times, with the surgical team driving the need for this technology home.

“Being able to care for their most medically vulnerable patients here is paramount to our physicians,” Boudreaux said. “It gave the foundation pause to hear Dr. Garcia say that if he was starting his career over, he would not choose a hospital that did not have robotic surgery.”

By itself, the robotic system promises to bring game-changing technology to the community. What makes this such a perfect fit at the hospital, according to Adventist Health and Rideout President Chris Champlin, is pairing the Da Vinci 5 with dedicated, caring physicians.

A demonstration model of the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system, produced by Intuitive Surgical, was on display at the Peach Tree Golf and Country Club on May 2 during a fundraiser event supporting Adventist Health and Rideout Foundation’s campaign to bring the advanced technology to Marysville. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

“We have surgeons who are capable of using this technology, and this technology advances their own skills,” Champlin said. “We’re putting the best tools in the hands of the best surgeons, and the outcomes will just be that much better.”

Longtime Rideout physician and foundation board secretary Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang said the new system means patients won’t need to travel out of the area for advanced surgical care.

“I know patients who cannot drive to Sacramento. It can be very taxing on them, as well as their families,” Dr. Kang said. “So having something available right here is really a great, phenomenal idea.”

As the Da Vinci 5 settles into its new home, the foundation continues its mission to strengthen local healthcare access.

Boudreaux confirmed that the $3.5 million commitment came from a broad base of community donors.

“This effort reflects the collective generosity of our community,” Boudreaux said. “Some people have designated their support for the surgery department, and our golf tournament this year also provided funds for the effort, but there isn’t one single donor — it’s the community as a whole that made this possible.”

The foundation is now seeking $1 million in additional community support to replenish its unrestricted fund, part of which helped finance the project.

“These unrestricted funds provide flexibility for the foundation to meet evolving needs,” Boudreaux explained.

In the coming weeks, the foundation will also host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and launch a community naming competition to make the project personal for local residents.

“We need the entire community,” said John Weiler, Rideout Foundation board member and community advocate. “We need all kinds of people who are willing to volunteer, who are willing to help raise money, who are willing to write checks. The entire community has to support this effort in order to maintain and sustain our community hospital.”

The hospital’s new robotic system is already scheduled for its first surgery later this fall, and Dr. Garcia can hardly contain his excitement. When asked if there would be any nerves mixed into the excitement, he smiled and said, “It’s like riding a bike — you don’t forget.”

To learn more or get involved, visit AdventistHealthRideout.org/Give.