Providence St. Mary acquires da Vinci robotic surgical system

Providence St. Mary Medical Center has acquired a da Vinci robotic surgical system to advance care in Walla Walla. 

Current Providence St. Mary robotically-trained surgeons will use the system to perform complex surgical procedures with added precision, all while reducing a patient’s recovery time. Initially, the da Vinci system will be used for surgeries of the kidney, prostate, colon and hernia, with additional services provided in the future.

Partnering with Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center, surgeons will also perform more cancer-related procedures for our community members, close to home.

A $2.06 million robotic surgical system was made possible thanks to significant donor contributions to Providence St. Mary Foundation. Donors generously gave more than $1 million toward the cost of the da Vinci system, with the remaining invested by Providence to advance exceptional care in Walla Walla.

“The debut of the da Vinci system comes on the heels of another project generously supported by donors, our cardiac cath lab,” said Lacey Perry, CFRE, chief philanthropy officer for Providence St. Mary Foundation. “Back-to-back investments in two large-scale projects makes it clear: no one cares for the community of Walla Walla like the community of Walla Walla.”

A ribbon cutting with the da Vinci temporarily set up in the Outpatient Surgery and Procedure Center lobby was held Oct. 29, 2025, to give donors a chance to see it up close before the equipment was moved into surgery. (Photo is from the ribbon cutting event).

 “Patients who might have been referred outside the area for care can remain right here in Walla Walla, close to their support systems for this less-invasive option,” said Joel Wassermann, M.D., chief medical officer for Providence St. Mary Medical Center. “This is exciting technology and for those unfamiliar, surgery using a da Vinci will always be performed by a surgeon, right in the same room, seated at a console in one of our operating rooms.”

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