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Contact: Christina Hong

SRC-accredited Center of Excellence Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina has reached an impressive milestone of 5,000 robotic surgeries performed. This achievement not only highlights the surgical expertise of their accredited surgeons but also underscores the transformative impact of robotic surgery on patient care. Queen of the Valley Hospital has been SRC-accredited as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology since 2014 and Robotic Surgery since 2018, demonstrating their commitment to bringing the highest level of healthcare to the 1 million California residents in the San Gabriel Valley area.

“I am proud that our robotic surgery program has achieved a remarkable milestone of 5,000 successful surgeries,” said Emanate Health President & CEO Roger Sharma. “We have a highly skilled team whose expertise and dedication have made this possible. This accomplishment reflects our dedication to elevating the health of our communities by leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide safe and high-quality robotic procedures to our patients. We are committed to delivering the best care and the best outcomes to our robotic surgery patients in their own neighborhood.”

The Rise of Robotic Surgery

The robotic surgery program at Emanate Health started nearly 14 years ago. Over the past decade, robotic surgery has revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery. At SRC-accredited Center of Excellence, Queen of the Valley Hospital, a robust team of SRC-accredited Surgeons of Excellence in Robotic Surgery has embraced this cutting-edge technology to improve patient outcomes. The Surgeons of Excellence at Queen of the Valley Hospital include Dr. Edward Tangchitnob, Dr. Robinson Baron, Dr. Sung Choe and Dr. John Lee. Among those surgeons, Dr. Choe and Dr. Baron are also accredited by SRC as Master Surgeons in Robotic Surgery, and Dr. Tangchitnob as a Surgeon of Excellence in both Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Gynecology. SRC-accredited surgeons at Queen of the Valley Hospital leverage state-of-the-art robotic technology to perform intricate procedures that were once deemed too challenging or could only be performed through more invasive open surgery methods. The integration of robotics has expanded the range of surgeries that can be performed and elevated the overall quality of care provided to patients.

"Over the last decade, Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital’s robotic surgery program has evolved remarkably, having recently reached a milestone of 5,000 cases utilizing multiple sophisticated robots,” said Edward Tangchitnob, MD, Medical Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic & Robotic Surgery at Emanate Health. “This achievement underpins our shared commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of surgical technology and modern medicine. As the Medical Director, I am immensely proud of our team's diverse expertise and ongoing collaboration, which have established us as an accredited Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. Our journey reflects our unwavering dedication to providing the highest standard of care to our patients, embracing technological solutions to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes."

Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Patients

Minimally invasive robotic surgery offers a plethora of advantages for patients, paving the way for quicker recoveries, reduced pain, minimized scarring and a faster return to daily life. The precision and dexterity afforded by robotic systems allow surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced accuracy, leading to improved patient outcomes. The smaller incisions reduce the risk of infection and postoperative complications, contributing to a more successful surgical experience for patients.

Enhancing Patient Safety through Accreditation

SRC accreditation is not just a one-time seal of quality; it is an ongoing process that ensures accredited providers foster a culture of excellence. As an international, nonprofit patient safety organization, SRC’s mission is to accredit the top providers globally that excel in patient care and safety making it easier for patients to access the highest quality of healthcare. This commitment to continuous improvement distinguishes the SRC-accredited providers, such as Queen of the Valley Hospital, from non-accredited providers as they have been vetted and adhere to SRC’s high standards and requirements. The accreditation process involves regular, rigorous evaluations to ensure accredited providers maintain the highest standards in patient care and safety. This dedication to ongoing improvement creates an environment where excellence is not just a goal but a part of the institution's DNA.

“We’re proud to congratulate Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital on this important milestone in the field of robotic surgery,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This achievement demonstrates an ongoing commitment to advancing and delivering the highest level of care possible.”

The celebration of 5,000 robotic surgeries at Queen of the Valley Hospital marks a significant milestone in the realm of minimally invasive surgery. As the demand for robotic surgery continues to grow, the accreditation of providers becomes paramount in ensuring a higher standard of care and collectively raising the bar on healthcare standards. The dedication of the surgeons and support staff at Queen of the Valley Hospital, coupled with the accreditation process as a continuous improvement journey, exemplifies a commitment to excellence that sets a benchmark for the future of surgical care.

About Emanate Health

Emanate Health exists to help people keep well in body, mind and spirit by providing quality healthcare services in a safe, compassionate environment. Emanate Health is the largest nonprofit healthcare provider in the San Gabriel Valley in California, serving one million people in the region. The system provides award-winning, specialized care in Behavioral Health, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Emergency, Neuroscience and Stroke, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Women’s Health. Facilities include Emanate Health Inter-Community Hospital in Covina, Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina, Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora and Emanate Health Home Care in West Covina, as well as other clinics throughout the region. Year after year, the healthcare system has been voted “Best Hospital” and “Best Place to Work.” Emanate Health providers are consistently among the “Top Doctors” in Los Angeles County, and  hospital services are recognized for quality care. Visit emanatehealth.org, our  Newsroom and connect with us on LinkedIn │ X │ Instagram │ Facebook.

About Surgical Review Corporation

Established in 2003, Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) is an internationally recognized, nonprofit, patient safety organization dedicated to recognizing and refining surgical care. SRC accredits the top hospitals, surgeons and health professionals worldwide that meet our proven standards. Look for our seal, expect excellence. For more information, visit www.surgicalreview.org