Mega Doctor News
During a robot-assisted procedure, the surgeon may be in control, but they aren’t working alone.
The operating room (OR) team plays a crucial role during robotic surgery, especially since it introduces unique challenges due to the physical separation of the surgeon from the patient, with the rest of the OR team at the bedside.
While the surgeon directs the robotic instruments, the OR staff oversees patient positioning, instrument setup and other important tasks, making effective teamwork and communication between the surgeon and staff vital for patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.
It’s a dynamic that has helped South Texas Heath System Edinburg earn a Center of Excellence accreditation in robotic, minimally invasive and hernia surgery from the Surgical Review Corporation, a non-profit patient safety organization committed to healthcare excellence.
While it takes a stellar team to provide quality, compassionate surgical care to patients undergoing robotic procedures, there’s one all-star member of the STHS Edinburg operating room team who has shined brightest during the program’s 10-year history.
Juan Enriquez, 62, joined the surgical services department at STHS Edinburg as a certified surgical technologist in 1985, where he worked for 12 years before accepting a role at a neighboring hospital.
He would return to work at the facility in March 2012, three years before the launch of the facility’s robotic surgery program.
“STHS Edinburg had always felt like home to me; it was my first job after becoming a certified surgical technologist,” says Enriquez, CST, CSFA. “I had missed the camaraderie with the team, so I decided to return to continue helping people in our community requiring surgery.”
When STHS Edinburg launched its robotic surgery program in 2015 as the first facility in South Texas to acquire Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci Xi, considered the most advanced surgical robot of its time, Juan jumped at the chance to be part of history.
“They started training us on the new robotic surgical system, sharing educational content and videos about the da Vinci Xi,” recalls Enriquez. “We were all learning together, and it was exciting just to be part of it.”
On August 19, 2015, Juan assisted on the first-ever robot-assisted procedure at STHS Edinburg, which solidified his love of robot-assisted surgery.
“Along with the enhanced precision, flexibility and control that the surgeons had during procedures, patients were benefiting as well,” says Enriquez, who completed his studies online to become a certified surgical first assistant in recent years to become a more active member of the OR team. “The smaller incisions led to less scarring and a lower risk of infection; patients reported less pain and recovered faster.”
As part of the robotic surgery team at STHS Edinburg, Juan has assisted on 2,029 robot-assisted procedures in the last decade, more than half of all the robotic surgeries performed at the facility. And he’s become a beloved leader in the department, serving as a teacher and mentor to his colleagues.
“Everything I’ve learned is due to Juan, and he’s always motivated me to become who I am now,” says Maria Garza, CST, CSFA. “He’s always helping everybody, motivating them. There’s never a no answer. If he doesn’t know it, he’ll find a way to help you. He’s amazing.”
To honor his dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the robotic surgery program at STHS Edinburg over the last decade, Juan received the STHS All-Star Award during the 10th anniversary celebration of the facility’s program on Thursday, July 17. It’s an honor, which was kept secret until the plaque presentation, that Juan will forever cherish.
“It’s an incredible feeling to know how much I’m appreciated by my colleagues and hospital leaders,” says Juan. “And it’s an honor to collaborate with this team. Everybody works together, and they know what they’re doing. We’re all professionally trained, and the surgeons like that. We’re here to help them and help our patients by providing the healthcare they need.”
Despite nearing retirement age, Juan isn’t planning to call it a day anytime soon.
“I can see myself here for maybe five or 10 more years,” predicts Juan. “I’m having a lot of fun.”
It’s a response that has left his colleagues breathing a sigh of relief.
“I want him to keep teaching me, our staff members and the students who train with us for years to come,” says Garza. “I hope he stays with us for a long time.”
For more information on the robotic surgery program at STHS Edinburg, visit www.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com.
