What Brave New World-Robotic Surgery

Provena Covenant Medical Center has acquired the most advanced da Vinci® Si^™ Surgical System offering patients a less invasive surgical option that results in less pain, less scarring, a shorter recovery time and quicker return to normal activities.

“The new features of the da Vinci Si system will help us provide the best possible outcomes and is proof of our commitment to provide our community access to the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery,” said Provena Covenant Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Brown.

The da Vinci Si Surgical System is designed to provide surgeons with enhanced capabilities, including high-definition 3D vision and a magnified view. The physician controls the da Vinci Si, which translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the body. da Vinci Si technology allows the physician to perform complex procedures through just a few tiny openings. As a result, patients may be able to get back to life faster ― without the usual recovery following major surgery.

Often an effective, alternative to open surgery or laparoscopy, the da Vinci Si system is used in procedures that treat a range of conditions, including bladder cancer, coronary artery disease, endometriosis, gynecologic cancer, hysterectomies, kidney disorders, obesity, prostate cancer, throat cancer and uterine fibroids. Dr. Michael Smith has already begun using the da Vinci Si at Provena Covenant Medical Center for gynecologic surgeries.

“The da Vinci Si technology is truly remarkable because it allows the physician such precise accuracy during procedures and allows us as surgeons to avoid a large abdominal incision in almost every case,” said Dr. Michael Smith, Christie Clinic Obstetrician/Gynecologist and President of the Medical Staff at Provena Covenant. “My goal is for all patients to have the option of da Vinci Si assisted hysterectomies, if hysterectomy is indicated, because of the immense benefits it provides the patients.”

Hysterectomies are the second most common surgical procedure for women in the United States, and an estimated one third of all U.S. women will have a hysterectomy by age 60. Traditionally, abdominal hysterectomies are performed with open surgery, which requires a wide incision below the navel. This procedure can be painful, involving heavy pain medications, risk of infection and significant blood loss. After surgery, a long recovery (often six weeks) is necessary. In addition, many patients are not happy with the scar left by the incision.

For most women, da Vinci Si Hysterectomy offers numerous potential benefits over traditional surgical approaches, including:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss and need for transfusion
• Less risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Quicker recovery and return to normal activities
• Small incisions for minimal scarring
• Better outcomes and patient satisfaction, in many cases

The da Vinci Si surgical system at Provena Covenant also features a Skills Simulator only compatible with the most advanced da Vinci Si. This simulator allows physicians interested in training on the da Vinci Si the ability to practice their skills in a virtual environment at Provena Covenant instead of having to travel to a major metropolitan area to do so. Several physicians from the southern Illinois market have already inquired about training on the da Vinci Si at Provena Covenant Medical Center.

To watch the TV interview with Dr.s Huag and Smith CLICK HERE

To Watch the Cazoodle Interview: CLICK HERE

Cazoodle was established in August 2006, as a startup company from the University of Illinois (UIUC). The goal of the company is to make web-search broader and deeper, by accessing data beyond the reach of current search engines. The company was co-founded by Prof. Kevin C. Chang and it is supported by the University of Illinois with transfer of technology from the MetaQuerier projects.

The company’s mission is to help users make their decisions more efficiently such as when they're looking for apartments for rent, or deciding on which products to buy. In such situations, users often end up spending hours and hours checking on possibilities spread across dozens of websites. Cazoodle’s search engines aggregate information from thousands of online sources, creating a one stop-destination for users to quickly navigate through all their possible choices.

Kerris Lee is a great ambassador for Cazoodle and shares his passion for the technology while telling the story of a young start up company that just may soon be a household word to all of us!

A Man For All Seasons

I had the privilege of interviewing the new CEO of Provena Health for the TV show "One on One" Click HERE to Watch the Show.

Mike Brown is President/Chief Executive Officer of Provena Covenant Medical Center and Provena United Samaritans Medical Center.

Mike Brown was recently promoted to Regional President and CEO with oversight responsibility for both PUSMC and PCMC. A key aspect of Mike's new regional duties will be leading PUSMC and PCMC through the opportunities and challenges that will come about with Health Reform, including optimizing the synergies between the Urbana and Danville physician relationships and the clinical offerings. An accomplished healthcare executive, Mike joined Provena in 2005 as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nurse Executive at PUSMC before being promoted to President and CEO in 2008. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Executive Officer at Hoopeston Regional Health Center, Hoopeston Illinois. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and an MBA in Organizational Leadership and Management from Franklin University in Columbus, OH.

The Human Face of Business

The mission of Human Kinetics is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

Through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) the company is largely owned by its employees!

Human Kinetics’ aggressive product output demands a productive staff, but the corporate mission of helping people lead healthier, more active lives also permeates the atmosphere at the Champaign headquarters. Fitness classes and exercise equipment draw employees to the workout room throughout the day, and rain-free days ensure pick-up basketball or tennis games in the courtyard. Other employees frequently join together to walk, and most take advantage of healthy subsidized meals in the acclaimed HK Café.

Employees are empowered to run committees that address community service, wellness, and social aspects of the company.

Brian Holding is the CEO of Human Kinetics, the world’s leading source of information on physical activity and based here in Champaign. Brian has been the CEO at Human Kinetics for the past 13 years after joining Human Kinetics in 1987. Throughout his career at HK, Brian has been involved with consumer product acquisitions, sales and marketing, and the development of international operations in England, Canada, and Australia. Before joining Human Kinetics, Brian was an acquisitions editor with Prentice Hall based in the New York City area. Brian is a journalism graduate of the University of Illinois and spent 7 years as a journalist before getting involved with book publishing.

To watch the entire TV interview with Brian Holding click here: WATCH TV INTERVIEW