DEKALB, IL — September 18, 2025 — Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital recently celebrated its 2,000^th successful robotic-assisted surgery, a milestone made possible by the completion of a $15 million renovation of its surgery suite late last year. Among the upgrades was the addition of a second surgical robot expanding access to minimally invasive robotic surgeries.

Robotic-assisted surgery enables a gentler, more precise approach, helping patients heal faster and return to their daily routines with minimal downtime.

“Our goal in expanding our surgical capabilities with this technology was to help as many of our patients as possible get through surgery with smaller incisions and greater precision,” said Nitzet Velez, MD, general surgery at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. “Reaching this milestone is a proud moment for our surgeons and staff, knowing our investment is paying off for the people we care for.” 

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital first introduced the da Vinci Xi Surgical System in its operating room in 2022. Today, the hospital proudly works with two state-of-the-art robotic surgical systems, allowing for more than half of all surgeries to be performed robotically. The robotic technology can support prostate, kidney, bladder, and gynecological operations, as well as general surgery procedures like hernia repairs and bowel resections.

“The completion of our surgical renovation and the addition of a second robotic surgery platform mark a significant milestone for our hospital and reflects our unwavering commitment to expanding access to world-class surgical care,” said Maura O’Toole, president of Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. “This investment ensures our patients can receive the highest levels of advanced, minimally invasive procedures, close to home.”

Over the past year, Kishwaukee’s surgical team performed 809 robotic surgeries — a 20% increase compared to previous years. With expanded operating room capabilities, the hospital also offers minimally invasive procedures for surgeries that once required traditional “open” methods. Thanks to the addition of a second robot, patients in the DeKalb area can now access advanced, less invasive options for general surgeries including gallbladder removal, adrenal gland removal and appendix removal — all closer to home.

"In the lead-up to my surgery, more than anything I wanted to be back on my feet as fast as possible so I could enjoy my summer,” said Amy McCarney, a patient of Dr. Velez who underwent a reversal of an emergency colostomy with robotic assist this past April. “Having had previous serious surgeries, I was worried about things like pain management and infection risk, but they were not a problem at all for me with this procedure. It’s incredible the difference using the robotics made. I had a great summer.” 

To operate using the robotic devices, surgeons sit at a nearby console to view 3D images of the surgical site and control the arms of the robotic instruments inside the body. The device’s tiny robotic arms and magnifying lenses allow surgeons to make incisions and maneuvers with unprecedented accuracy, typically resulting in better outcomes and quicker recovery times for patients. 

The da Vinci Xi Surgical System is available at locations across the Northwestern Medicine system, including at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Grayslake Outpatient Center. For more information on robotic surgery at Northwestern Medicine, visit: https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/surgical-services/robotic-surgery-services. 

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.

“The award is basically indicative of the care that you're providing to people,” said Christoper Berry, MD, an interventional cardiologist at the Blum Cardiovascular Institute at Kishwaukee Hospital. “By achieving a certain level of quality in this program, this will, in turn, lead to improved outcomes in our patients.”

The Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients using the latest guidelines from the AHA. This is done by consistently entering baseline and patient data into an AHA Registry Tool and following the recommended treatment plans.

“Managing this patient population is very labor intensive,” said Dr. Berry.  “It really does take a village.  In addition to making sure they are on the appropriate medical therapy and offered the appropriate medical devices, a lot of attention is given to diet, activity, and symptom management.  Follow-up visits and phone calls are frequent. So, a lot goes into receiving an award like this.”

In addition to Gold Plus status, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital was recognized on the American Heart Association’s Honor Roll for Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes treatments.

• 2024 award - Gold Plus, Target: HF Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award
• 2023 award - Gold Plus, Target: HF Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award
• 2022 award - Gold Plus, Target: HF Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award
• 2021 award - Gold Plus, Target: HF Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award

Marsha Royalty, 68, of DeKalb has been a patient at Northwestern Medicine for over two decades. She started seeing Dr. Berry for heart failure in 2016.

“He’s always been very attentive and willing to listen to me as a patient. I’ve had an absolutely wonderful experience with him,” said Royalty. “I have not had one single nurse or doctor that I wasn’t fond of there. I’ve loved them all.”

For more information about The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine, as well as advanced therapies, visit nm.org.