GVMC unveils new orthopedic robot
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV
“There are people leaving our community to get access to this technology, so we want to bring it here.”
That’s what Becky Harless, Vice President with Vandalia Health, told several dozen members of the community who gathered in the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center cafeteria last week as the hospital unveiled a new robotics system which will aid in orthopedic surgeries including hip and knee replacements.
“My main focus is how do we keep the patients in our community that come to us for care?” she said to the crowd. “They trust us and want to be treated here. It’s exciting to bring in a robot.”
The robotics system is being introduced at the same time Dr. Doug Tice begins practicing at GVMC with the Charleston Area Medical System (CAMC) network.
“Robotics is not new to knee replacement,” Tice said. “I’ve been using it for the better part of 15 years. Systems have gotten better over time. The great thing about this system is we don/t have to get an MRI or CT scan beforehand. That was our achilles heel before for many cases.”
Tice says the use of robotics allows the surgery to be more precise, which can lead to decreased recovery times and better patient outcomes. “It improves patient outcomes, motion, balance, and longevity within the replacement.”
The particular system being utilized by CAMC is called the CORI System. It was developed by students at Carnegie Mellon University and is manufactured by Smith & Nephew.
Harless says she and her team want to give the robotics system a name locally. Attendees were asked to submit suggested names at the event, and GVMC will put several options out for a vote to the public soon.
“We want to let the community choose the name,” she said, “It’s your hospital.”
Jeff Goode, Senior Vice President for Vandalia Health (which owns 17 hospitals across the state, echoed that sentiment in his comments to the community.
“We want care to be delivered here locally,” said Goode. “Our commitment is to improve access to care, grow programs and services here, and create a network of care.”
GVMC is located at 1320 Maplewood Avenue, Ronceverte, WV, 24970. Their orthopedic departments include Dr. Steven Vess, Dr. Erik Stapleton, and Dr. Doug Tice. Watch their social media for information on how to help name the new robotics system.
