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serving the community With Leading-Edge Robotic Technology Sherry Hausmann, President and CEO of Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis T of advanced technologies continues to revolutionize medicine. Sherr y Hausmann, President and CEO of Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis, and Brett E. Grizzell, M.D., share how robotic technology is becoming increasingly integrated into patient care. he ProPer use Q How are you incorporating leading-edge robotic technology into patient care in your hospital? Brett E. Grizzell, M.D. 16 | Greater Kansas md news ��� mdnews.com Hausmann: Via Christi invested in robots for cardiac and thoracic surgery because the physicians who practice here feel this is the best way to serve our community. Physicians see robot-assisted surgery as beneficial to their patients. Via Christi wants to ensure we offer the full range of appropriate technologies to the Wichita community. Dr. Grizzell: In this area, patient selection is critical. We are trying to appropriately select patients in a way that will still allow for the best oncological outcome. Q In a relatively brief period, robotics has allowed surgery to be performed less invasively. What do you foresee is next on the horizon with this technology? Dr. Grizzell: As the industries that create surgical supplies catch up with this technology by making smaller tools that work with the robots, we will be able to expand our use of the robot and be able to push the technology even further. We will also be able to more greatly focus our surgical expertise. Surgeons will eventually be able to treat people from remote locations. Q As robot-assisted surgery becomes more prevalent, how do you educate patients about this new approach? Dr. Grizzell: Most of the marketing is by reputation and word of mouth. As far as patient education, we discuss all surgical approaches, including robot-assisted surgery, with patients, knowing we will