Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast investments in surgical care

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.– Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is excited to be the first hospital in the area to introduce the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system. This system allows surgeons to control customizable instruments with greater accuracy, making it easier to perform surgeries with smaller incisions. This technology increases access to minimally invasive robotic surgery for our community, leading to better results, quicker recovery times and improved patient care.

“The da Vinci 5 reflects our commitment to providing state-of-the-art technologies that increase our patients' quality of care and experience at our hospital,” said Trey Abshier, President and CEO of Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. “This new system adds a second robotic assisted surgery option for our surgeons to use, doubling our ability to treat patients more quickly and safely with minimally invasive surgical options.”

The new system features more than 150 enhancements, including:
● Enhancing the ability for the surgeon to feel subtle differences in tissue which can help improve precision
● Improving image processing with a next-generation 3D display that gives surgeons a clearer, more detailed view during surgery
● Allowing for more complex and a wider variety of procedures to be done using minimally invasive procedures

Along with the new robotic system, Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is hiring two new general surgeons. Neal Holm, MD, a board-certified general surgeon, started at the hospital in May. He completed his medical training and earned his medical degree at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport, LA. A second general surgeon will join the team in the fall.

“The da Vinci 5 is a complex piece of medical technology, representing a significant investment in the quality of healthcare delivery to members of the community,” said Dr. Holm, general surgeon, Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. “It also represents the hospital’s on going dedication to the best possible patient outcomes for the community it serves”

Surgeons will use the da Vinci 5 for various complex procedures at Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, treating both benign and malignant conditions. This includes gynecologic and urologic surgeries, certain cancer surgeries, and general procedures like gallbladder removal, bariatric surgery, and hernia repair. Surgeons stay in full control of all operations, supported by 3D vision and wrist movement capabilities.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, a non-profit, Catholic hospital, is part of the Sacred Heart Health system that is recognized as one of the top 15 in the country by Fortune/PINC AI. The hospital also recently earned a spot on Newsweek’s Best in-state hospitals and received a CMS five-star rating for patient recommendation. Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is a destination for specialty care including spine and joint replacement surgery, heart care, and cancer care. The hospital's Family Birth Place is recognized as one of the top maternity facilities in the country by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek. To learn more visit ascension.org/EmeraldCoastFL.

About Ascension Sacred Heart Ascension Sacred Heart, based in Pensacola, Florida, operates five hospitals and more than 100 other sites of care and employs more than 6,440 associates. In fiscal year 2024, Ascension Sacred Heart provided more than $193 million in community benefit and other care for vulnerable persons. Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.