WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital announced the arrival of two da Vinci 5 robotic surgical systems, the latest generation of Intuitive’s robotic platform. The addition brings the total number of da Vinci 5 units in Uniontown to two of the four operating in western Pennsylvania, and it expands the hospital’s ability to offer advanced, minimally invasive procedures to residents of Fayette County and surrounding communities.
Why the new robots matter locally
The da Vinci 5 platform includes more than 150 design improvements, such as enhanced three‑dimensional visualization, force‑sensing technology and telepresence capabilities. Those features allow surgeons to see finer detail, control instruments with greater precision and perform complex operations through small incisions. For patients, that typically means less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, smaller scars and a shorter hospital stay.
Dr. Brandon Ball, chief of surgery at Uniontown Hospital, performed the first procedure on the new system—a robotic‑assisted gallbladder removal for a patient from Morgantown—on August 3. “The addition of the da Vinci 5 represents another significant step forward in the care we provide,” Dr. Ball said. “It enhances precision and visualization while allowing us to continue performing complex procedures through a minimally invasive approach, ultimately helping patients recover faster and return to their normal activities.”
Robotic surgery stays surgeon‑controlled
Hospital officials emphasized that the robot does not operate independently. Daniel Battista, associate vice president of hospital clinical operations, explained that the system simply translates the surgeon’s hand movements into precise instrument motions inside the patient’s body. “The robot never makes decisions or performs surgery on its own,” he said. “It is an advanced surgical tool that gives us greater accuracy while we retain complete control throughout every procedure.”
Since launching its robotic surgery program in July 2025, Uniontown surgeons have completed more than 400 robotic‑assisted procedures across specialties such as general surgery and gynecology. The new da Vinci 5 units are part of a broader WVU Medicine investment that now includes 41 robotic systems across 16 hospitals in West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania—the largest fleet of surgical robots in the region.
Keeping advanced care close to home
Karyn Wallace, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital, said the expansion reflects a commitment to bring state‑of‑the‑art healthcare to the community. “Patients shouldn’t have to travel long distances to access the latest surgical technology,” she noted. “By investing in our physicians, surgical teams and cutting‑edge equipment, we ensure our community has world‑class care right here in Uniontown.”
The presence of two da Vinci 5 systems at a community hospital underscores a trend toward decentralizing high‑tech medical services that were once limited to major academic centers. Local families can now benefit from advanced procedures without the burden of long travel, aligning with the hospital’s mission to serve the health needs of Fayette County residents.
For more information about the robotic surgery program at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital, visit the hospital’s website.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
