At HMH JFK University, milestone moment in its robotic surgery efforts

Hospital, which started program from scratch in 2016, recently performed its 5,000th surgery

Robotic surgery is nothing new for the surgical team at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center in Edison. The team, which has been doing robotic surgery on a wide range of procedures since 2016, recently completed its 5,000th surgery.

Dr. Michael Lasser, the medical director of robotic surgery at the hospital, said the team has long taken pride in its efforts.

“Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center’s world-class surgical team is proud to have built this robotic surgery program from the ground up,” he said. “We have grown from our inception in 2016 to offer procedures in nearly every surgical subspecialty and have always maintained a primary focus on patient safety.

“The robotic technology has helped us offer complex surgical procedures with minimally invasive approaches and has enhanced patient safety and improved outcomes.”

Robotic surgery provides surgeons with multiple advantages, including a magnified field, 3D view, increased precision and the ability to perform complex procedures with small instruments through small incisions.

Features such as dual consoles enable surgeons to work together to complete complex surgical procedures. This technology is also helping to educate the next generation of surgeons. Surgical residents and medical school faculty work side-by-side with lead surgeons to learn about and participate in complex procedures.

JFK University Medical Center has become a hub for robotic surgery in the central region because of its highly specialized team of surgeons who are treating some of the most complex cases and delivering exceptional results.

JFK University Medical Center’s world-renowned surgeons are known for performing groundbreaking surgeries that are advancing medical innovation by pioneering first-of-its-kind surgeries.

JFK University Medical Center’s robotic surgical system is optimized for complex surgeries and offers patient benefits that can include:

  • Less pain and discomfort, decreasing the need for narcotics;
  • Minimal scarring;
  • Shorter hospital stays;
  • Faster recovery times;
  • Less blood loss;
  • Fewer complications;
  • Less risk of infections.

JFK University Medical Center will continue to invest in its robotic technology program by adding new robots in 2024, recruiting new world-class surgeons and continuing to acquire the latest imaging and diagnostic tools that will help improve surgical outcomes by detecting disease earlier and more accurately.

Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Bob Garrett wouldn’t have it any other way.

“At Hackensack Meridian Health, innovation is in our DNA,” he said. “This achievement is a testament to our surgeons’ commitment to innovating patient care. For more than two decades, our team members have been using robotic surgery to perform complex procedures and improve outcomes for our patients. By expanding our cutting-edge robotic surgery program, we can continue to provide even more patients with high-quality, compassionate care.”