Hackensack University Medical Center Among First Hospitals in the World to Acquire Innovative da Vinci Single Port Robotic System

HACKENSACK, N.J., Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center announced today that the medical center is among the first hospitals in the world to acquire the innovative da Vinci single port (SP) system, a cutting-edge robotic-assisted technology used by surgeons to perform complex urological procedures. Hackensack University Medical Center, a center for excellence in advanced robotic surgery, is the first and only hospital in New Jersey to have access to this groundbreaking technology.

The da Vinci SP technology's revolutionary design enables single port surgery, narrow access surgery, triangulation and 360-degree rotation. Surgeons only need to make a one-inch incision utilizing da Vinci SP, which may cause less stress, shorten recovery time and improve cosmesis. Currently, the robotic system is U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved to perform minimally invasive surgery in urologic procedures, including prostate cancer, kidney cancer and advanced urinary tract reconstruction surgery.

"Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to pushing the boundaries of medicine to reach new heights of research and innovation," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, co-CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. "It is no surprise that Hackensack University Medical Center, which is a center for excellence in advanced robotic surgery, is among the first hospitals in the world to acquire the groundbreaking da Vinci SP technology. We look forward to utilizing this revolutionary technology to deliver the health care of tomorrow, today."

This pioneering technology will enable Hackensack University Medical Center's renowned urologic robotics program to perform the most complex surgeries through a one-inch incision. The medical center will acquire the technology in November and train a select group of advanced urologic surgeons and staff. Hackensack University Medical Center surgeons anticipate performing their first surgery with da Vinci SP prior to the end of the year.

"Hackensack University Medical Center is the first in New Jersey and among the first hospitals in the world to acquire the da Vinci single port robotic system," said Ihor S. Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, north region president, Hackensack Meridian Health. "Hackensack University Medical Center is a world leader in robotic surgery, and we look forward to utilizing this innovative technology to improve patient outcomes."

"Hackensack University Medical Center's urologic robotics program is the top program in New Jersey, has the highest volume of procedures in the state and top three in the New York Metro area," said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president of Hackensack University Medical Center. "Since 2002, Hackensack University Medical Center has established a center for excellence in robotic urological surgery."

"This acquisition places Hackensack University Medical Center's urology program on the world stage," said Michael Stifelman, M.D., chair of urology and director of robotic surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center. "Hackensack University Medical Center is focused on bringing the most advanced technology and the most experienced surgeons together to constantly improve patient outcomes. The da Vinci SP technology is transformative as it enables our surgeons to perform the most complex surgeries in the hardest to reach places, using just one small incision."

The da Vinci SP is the fourth-generation da Vinci surgical device. The FDA approved da Vinci SP for urologic procedures in June 2018. It is anticipated that within the next year, the FDA will decide on the approval of the da Vinci SP for additional procedures, such as ear, nose and throat (ENT) and colorectal surgery.

For additional information about Hackensack University Medical Center's urology robotics department, visit https://www.hackensackumc.org/services/urology/our-services/robotic-surgery/.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 16 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children's hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals - Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood; and two rehabilitation hospitals - JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 450 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has 33,000 team members, and 6,500 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network's notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, four hospitals among the top 10 in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," one of the "20 Best Workplaces in Health Care" in the nation, and the number one "Best Place to Work for Women." The network was also named to Becker's Healthcare's "150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2018" list.

Hackensack Meridian Health partnered with Seton Hall University to launch the first private medical school in New Jersey – Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University - in more than 50 years to address a growing shortage of physicians and dramatic changes in health care delivery. Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it. Hackensack Meridian Health and Carrier Clinic, New Jersey's oldest and most respected behavioral health provider, signed a definitive agreement to merge.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.

SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Health

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