Surgeons at Northwest Health – Porter are First in Region to Use Latest High-tech Surgical Robot

5/6/2025

For years, minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery has been offered at Northwest Health - Porter and today we’ve taken another step forward to provide our patients with access to the latest technology.

This new technology helps surgeons minimize trauma to surrounding tissues and can lead to faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays for patients. It is the only system of its kind in Northwest Indiana. This investment demonstrates Northwest Health’s commitment to providing patients with the highest standard of care in Northwest Indiana and takes surgical technology to the next level.

General surgeons Andrew Martin, M.D., and Jaron Pettis, M.D., were the first to use the new technology which reduces operating time and the time patients spend under general anesthesia. Both surgeons are well versed in robotic technology and its benefits for certain patients.

“We do many robotic surgeries at Northwest Health – Porter and we’re always looking for advancements in the level of care we can provide our patients,” said James Leonard, D.O., FACEP, chief executive officer of Northwest Health – Porter. “The addition of new general surgeons to our staff has increased the need to expand our capabilities, underscoring the need for this new surgical robot to support advanced, minimally invasive procedures.”

Like all robotic systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted system, which can be used in several different procedures including urological and gynecology procedures, and offers more than 150 enhancements over the previous versions. Major advancements include improved accuracy and precision with force sensing technology, enhanced 3D imaging and better ergonomics for surgeon comfort and surgical viewing.

For more information on minimally invasive surgical options at Northwest Health – Porter visit https://www.nwhealthporter.com/robotic-surgery-services.

Back