Da Vinci Surgical Program Benefits
Entire Community

You want the very best care for your loved ones, your employees and your community. And Southcoast is constantly striving to give you the best.

Last fall, Southcoast introduced the da Vinci Robotic Surgical Program, at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, to raise the level of cancer treatment in the area. The program is available to appropriately trained physicians and their patients from throughout the South Coast region and beyond.

“Cancer is a devastating disease that can dramatically alter the life of not only its victims but their families and friends,” said Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group. “The da Vinci surgical program can minimize the impact of cancer surgery and improve outcomes for people with certain types of cancer.”

Currently, the program is primarily for patients undergoing radical prostatectomies for the treatment of prostate cancer, but Southcoast is looking to expand the program to include gynecological surgeries in the near future.

“Laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer, like many other types of surgeries, has substantial advantages over the open approach,” said Dennis LaRock, MD, who operates using the da Vinci. “The da Vinci offers patients the considerable benefits of a delicate procedure, including smaller incisions, less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery, less scarring and quicker return to normal activities.”

Advanced programs like the da Vinci are expensive and require the support of the entire community to succeed.

Robert S. Karam, a member of the Southcoast Health System Board of Trustees and Chair of the Charlton Presidents’ Council is building support from the business community through sponsorship of da Vinci by Night — a special event, taking place in June, that will benefit the da Vinci Surgical Program.

“I believe strongly in this program and have made a personal commitment to support it,” Karam said. “I am now individually asking members of the business community to make a gift in the interest of their community.”

Da Vinci by Night will be an “Italian Festival” offering food and wine pairings, Italian opera and even a fun sing-along of familiar Italian popular tunes.

Karam hopes that individuals recognize the importance of supporting the da Vinci Surgical Program as well.

“I hope everyone in the community will support da Vinci because the program benefits us all,” Karam said. “Gifts of all sizes will help keep this program alive and flourishing.”

*Editor’s note: In the next issue of Your Health Matters, we will introduce you to a neighbor who benefited from the da Vinci Surgical Program.