Via Christi has achieved a major surgical milestone, surpassing 25,000 robotic-assisted procedures performed across four of its Kansas hospitals: Via Christi St. Francis, Via Christi St. Joseph, Via Christi St. Teresa and Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.
The achievement demonstrates Via Christi’s long-term commitment to surgical innovation and enhanced patient care across the region. The organization has been offering robot-assisted surgery since acquiring its first system in 2007.
In August 2025, Via Christi St. Francis, Via Christi St. Teresa and Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan significantly expanded their capacity by integrating new, state-of-the-art da Vinci 5 robotic surgical systems. Via Christi St. Francis, which was the first Kansas hospital to receive a da Vinci 5 in June 2024, now has three of these advanced systems.
Surgeons at Via Christi have performed more procedures using the da Vinci 5 system than any other hospital system or surgery center in Kansas.
Robot-assisted surgical systems enable surgeons to perform surgeries with more control, enhanced vision and smaller incisions than traditional or laparoscopic surgeries, putting them in position to deliver better outcomes, quicker recovery times and improved patient care.
Surgeons at Via Christi use the systems for complex procedures across many specialties including surgeries on the heart and lungs; the liver, bile ducts and pancreas; the urinary system; the colon and rectum; and in weight loss procedures. The robotic technology is also used in general procedures such as appendectomies, gallbladder removal and hernia repair.
“The new robot-assisted systems enhance our ability and increase our capacity to offer the highest quality of care with a minimally invasive approach for our patients,” said Sam Antonios, Via Christi's Chief Clinical Officer.
“This means patients will likely experience superior outcomes with less scarring and a faster recovery, allowing them to return to their families and regular activities sooner.”
