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UVA Health reached a major milestone on July 31, 2026, when its first robotic cardiac surgery case was successfully performed at University Medical Center, marking the launch of a dedicated robotic cardiac surgery program.

Led by Michael E. Ibrahim, MD, PhD, Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery, the procedure represents a new chapter in innovative cardiac care and expands access to minimally invasive treatment options for patients across the region.

While robotic surgery has been used in multiple specialties for more than 20 years, cardiac surgery has been slower to adopt the technology because of the complexity of heart procedures. Robotic cardiac surgery offers several benefits for eligible patients, including smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, fewer complications, and a faster return to regular activities of daily living. Patients typically experience accelerated recovery, with hospital stays as short as three days, compared to a week or more with conventional cardiac surgery.

UVA Health is the only health system in Virginia with a dedicated robotic cardiac surgery program. The program is expected to continue growing, with a new cardiac surgeon joining UVA Health in September who will perform robotic coronary artery bypass grafting procedures.

The successful launch follows months of planning, education, workflow development, equipment preparation, and simulation sessions involving teams across Cardiac Surgery, Anesthesia, Nursing, Perfusion, Cardiology, Critical Care, Perioperative Services, Supply Chain, Clinical Engineering, Finance, and many other support areas.

The first procedure was completed using the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system. Extensive training and rehearsals helped prepare the operating room team for a safe and seamless first case. "This was the beginning of a program," says Dr. Ibrahim. "With humility and attention to detail, to the team and always with our eyes on the patient as our guide, I am excited about what you will do in the times ahead."