Marion Health Offers Hands-On Experience with Robotic-Assisted Surgery Technology During General Motors Event

Marion Health officials are inviting the public to experience the future of healthcare on Friday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the General Motors Marion Plant located at 2400 West 2nd Street. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the technology behind today’s advanced robotic-assisted surgery with Intuitive’s Thoracic Oncology Mobile Experience. Attendees can discover how innovative tools are helping surgeons provide more precise, minimally invasive options for patients, and even try the technology through an interactive demonstration. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and show how Marion Health continues to bring advanced care and innovation into the community.

General Motors will be offering tours of the plant as well as filling the parking lot with vendors, food trucks, an interactive firefighter smokehouse, and much more. Attendees who would like to tour the plant must wear long pants and closed toed shoes.

This Marion Health interactive experience opportunity comes on the heels of the announcement of successful implementation of robotic-assisted surgery with completion of the 1000th surgical procedure utilizing da Vinci 5 robotic technology. This advanced technology supports minimally invasive care for general and specialty procedures including gynecologic, bariatric, and gastrointestinal surgery.

Marion Health continues to invest in innovation and technology to strengthen healthcare delivery in Grant County. These investments ensure patients can receive advanced, high-quality care while supporting the health and vitality of the local community. The most recent investment expands the Intuitive robotic system with the addition of the Ion Endoluminal System. Thus, bringing state-of-the-art lung cancer diagnostics closer to home for patients throughout Grant County and surrounding rural communities.

This groundbreaking technology represents a significant advancement in the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer, enabling physicians to access and biopsy small, hard-to-reach lung nodules with greater precision than ever before. The Ion robotic-assisted platform combines advanced robotic navigation with minimally invasive technology to help physicians diagnose lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

"Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, but early detection can dramatically improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Mirza Abu Sayeem. "By bringing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to Marion Health, we are ensuring that patients in our rural communities have access to the same cutting-edge diagnostic technologies available at major academic medical centers without the need to travel far from home."

The Ion system utilizes a thin, flexible robotic catheter capable of navigating deep into the lungs with exceptional stability and precision. This allows physicians to obtain tissue samples from suspicious nodules that may be difficult to reach using conventional bronchoscopy techniques. Earlier and more accurate diagnoses can lead to faster treatment decisions and improved outcomes for patients.

The addition of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy further strengthens Marion Health's commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality healthcare services locally. Patients can now benefit from world-class lung cancer diagnostic capabilities while receiving care in a familiar and convenient setting close to family and support networks.

"Our mission is to continually invest in technologies that improve patient care and expand access to advanced medical services," added Dr. Abu Sayeem. "The introduction of the Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform is another example of how Marion Health is bringing leading-edge healthcare to the doorstep of the communities we serve."

Patients who have been identified through lung cancer screening programs or imaging studies as having suspicious lung nodules may be candidates for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. Individuals interested in learning more should speak with their primary care provider or pulmonologist.

Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend.

For more information about Marion Health’s lung cancer screening and diagnostic services, visit our website at marionhealth.com/services/surgery/.