Ascension St. John Owasso's First Robotic Surgery Expands Local Healthcare Options

Ascension St. John Owasso completed its first robotic surgery last week.

Ascension said this robotic assistance is a big deal for not just Ascension St. John here in Owasso but for the patients in Owasso as well.

Mark Clay, Ascension St. John Owasso President, said this new robotic platform allows patients in Owasso to get high-quality care closer to home instead of having to go to places like Tulsa.

It will be used in various ways and eventually implemented in urology, general surgery, and OB/GYN care. Clay said using robotics provides a less invasive surgery, smaller scars, smaller incisions, faster healing time, and less risk of infection post-surgery.

"It provides patients options, and I think that’s the most important thing. They’re still going to be cases that need to be done the old-fashioned way, but this provides them options to have a less invasive surgical procedure," Clay said.

Clay said it can also help the hospital recruit more physicians.

"I also think it’s important for the recruitment of our providers. It’s 2024. We are growing, and we want to be able to provide the best quality technology available when we are recruiting physicians to our communities," Clay said.

Even though a doctor is using the robotic platform during a procedure, Clay said there is also a surgical assistant who can help when needed during these surgeries.