Prisma Health is making it easier for patients across South Carolina to access cutting-edge surgical care. The health system is expanding its robotic-assisted surgery program to more hospitals across the state, helping more people benefit from less invasive procedures and faster recoveries—without having to travel far from home.
As part of this effort, new robotic surgical systems are being installed at four hospitals: Prisma Health Richland Hospital and Baptist Parkridge Hospital in Columbia, Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, and Laurens County Hospital in Clinton. In addition, Prisma Health will move some of its current robotic platforms to hospitals that don’t yet offer robotic-assisted surgery, widening access for more communities.
“This expansion reflects our commitment to ensuring that all patients—regardless of where they live—have access to the latest surgical innovations,” said Jennifer Montgomery, Prisma Health CEO for Midlands hospitals. “We’re not only investing in high-tech equipment at our busiest hospitals—we’re also working to increase access to care across the entire health system.”
One of the biggest updates is the addition of the DaVinci 5 surgical system—the most advanced robotic surgery technology in the world—at Richland Hospital and Oconee Memorial Hospital. This system includes Force Feedback, a new feature that gives surgeons a sense of touch during procedures. The technology allows doctors to feel pressure and resistance through the robotic controls, much like they would during traditional surgery. This helps improve control, accuracy, and safety.
Doctors also benefit from improved ergonomics, better visuals, and smoother tool integration. These changes can reduce fatigue and help surgeons perform with more precision.
“We’re excited to be among the first hospitals in the U.S. to use this breakthrough in surgical technology,” said Dr. Andrew Schneider, a general surgeon at Oconee Memorial Hospital. “With sensory feedback, we can reduce the force used on tissue by nearly 43%, which may improve outcomes and speed up recovery for our patients.”
Robotic-assisted surgeries can lead to smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to normal activities.
For more information about Prisma Health and its services, visit PrismaHealth.org.
Prisma Health is making it easier for patients across South Carolina to access cutting-edge surgical care. The health system is expanding its robotic-assisted surgery program to more hospitals across the state, helping more people benefit from less invasive procedures and faster recoveries—without having to travel far from home. As partContinue Reading
Sixth annual expedition winding its way through the Midlands this week By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A hand-picked team from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) joined Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Michelle McCollum, president of the S.C. National Heritage Corridor, and otherContinue Reading
Irmo Town Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15 at the Irmo Municipal Building located at 7300 Woodrow Street in Irmo. This was the first official town council meeting forTown Administrator Jim Crosland. “I had a great week settling in,” said Crosland.”It’s a pleasure getting to know theContinue Reading
The family of Byron Jackson, 45, of North Augusta, is seeking answers following his death after an encounter with Irmo police last month. At a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers raised concerns about how the incident was handled and the lack of information released toContinue Reading
IRMO – Shiny chrome, classic engines, and community pride were on full display Saturday, July 12, as the St. Andrews/Irmo American Legion Post 174 hosted its 5th Annual Car Show. Held at the post headquarters at 801 Piney Woods Road, the event kicked off at 9 a.m. and drew nearlyContinue Reading
IRMO – A golden celebration is on the horizon, and the community is invited to be part of the fun! The 50th Annual Irmo Okra Strut Parade is set for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., and organizers are now accepting applications for parade participants. This year marks theContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. For 20 years, the Lexington County Blowfish has not only served as a source of entertainment in the Midlands community. It’s also served as a gateway to reaching the next level of Major League Baseball. Several future professional players have donned the Blowfish colors before gettingContinue Reading
July 4, 2025, marked the 249th anniversary of our nation. I have always celebrated Independence Day with fireworks, cookouts, and time with family. As an educator, I try to find a teaching moment in every interaction, so this Independence Day, I quizzed my children about the Declaration of Independence. TheyContinue Reading
PACIFIC OCEAN (July 9, 2025) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Santino Roccuzzo, left, from Philadelphia, fires a .50-caliber machine gun with Ens. Michael Guirau, right, from Columbia, S.C., during a live-fire exercise on the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln, flagship of Carrier Strike GroupContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. While two Irmo Little League teams are headed to its respective Junior League World Series, the Majors moved one step closer Monday. Irmo defeated Northwood Little League All-Stars 11-2 to win the South Carolina Little League Baseball title in Florence. It advanced to the Southeast RegionContinue Reading
IRMO – Amy Umberger, Resident Scientist at Dutch Fork Elementary School – Academy of Environmental Sciences, has been named the 2025 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC). This statewide honor recognizes educators who go above and beyond to build environmental knowledge, sparkContinue Reading