By: Robyn Darnell, FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
One of the best parts of living in a community like ours is that success is never celebrated alone. At Family Health West, we see every achievement as a shared victory with our patients, physicians and neighbors. With that in mind, we wanted to honor the introduction of our surgical robot, the da Vinci 5, in a way that involved as many lower valley residents as possible.
Part of FHW’s new General Surgery department, the da Vinci 5 is the most advanced surgical robot available. This February, to celebrate its addition at the hospital, FHW hosted a full-scale multi-day event. First, Ms. Pool’s third grade class from Loma Elementary was announced as the winner of the robot naming contest during the robot naming ceremony. FHW also hosted a physician’s open house with local medical professionals. Finally, the Fruita Chamber of Commerce and the Hi-Fives Robotics team were invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the hospital to unveil the robot.
“The atmosphere was proud and genuinely excited. There was this shared feeling of, ‘Look at what’s happening in Fruita,’” Kayla Howell, Fruita Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, said. “It didn’t feel like a formal ceremony, it felt like a community moment.”
From creative third grade students to curious high school robotics enthusiasts and each one of our own employees, FHW wanted everyone to be included in celebrating the da Vinci 5. When da Vinci’s robotic arm cut the ribbon and the Fruita Chamber of Commerce Officially recognized the new addition, there was a shared feeling of accomplishment and delight from everyone present.
“That was such a special and symbolic moment. It perfectly captured what this addition represents: precision, innovation, and progress, right here at home. It gave our community a chance to come together and take pride in something truly exciting.” Howell said. “This wasn’t just a new piece of equipment, it was a milestone in healthcare for Fruita.”
Every part of the robot unveiling was meant to represent FHW’s commitment to the long-term wellbeing of our community. We are excited to see how the da Vinci will continue to impact Fruita and beyond. “Family Health West has always been part of Fruita’s story, and they’re clearly committed to being part of its future,” Howell said.
Beyond the excitement of unveiling this new equipment, FHW is eager to bring a new level of care to our side of the Valley. Our patients can now receive the most advanced care possible right at home. The da Vinci 5 means a faster recovery, less pain and less risk of complications after the surgery, providing a better overall experience for anyone who goes through FHW General Surgery. We are pairing cutting-edge surgical capabilities with the exceptional care you’ve come to expect from FHW.
“People like to have their care close to home.” FHW General Surgeon Dr. Morse said. “We are offering state of the art care with great skill and great compassion that’s going to make people want to drive right past the other hospitals to get home.”
