Thanks to donor support, Providence St. Joseph Hospital is first in the world to acquire eCential Robotics’ open spine platform

Providence St. Joseph Hospital has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in spinal surgery by being the first hospital in the world to acquire the eCential Robotics open spine platform. This leading-edge technology, fondly named “Jerome” after the CEO of eCential Robotics, marks a significant advancement in spinal surgery, promising enhanced surgical precision and improved patient outcomes.

Donations totaling nearly $2 million fully funded the hospital’s acquisition of this revolutionary system. The Foundation raised $639,000 during its 2023 golf tournament, and many individual donors also played a crucial role. This outpouring of support underscores our community’s commitment to bringing advanced treatments to Providence St. Joseph Hospital.

“This is a remarkable achievement for our hospital and the entire community,” says Amy Daugherty, chief philanthropy officer. “The support we received demonstrates the power of collective philanthropy in driving medical innovation and improving patient care. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this transformative project.”

First-ever robotic spinal surgery

Last July, Providence St. Joseph surgeons performed the world’s first robotic spinal surgery using the new all-in-one surgical platform that combines 2D/3D imaging, real-time navigation and robotics for bone surgery.

“We are relentless in our pursuit of excellence in patient care,” says neurosurgeon Erick Westbroek, M.D., who performed one of the first procedures with the new technology. “This advanced platform enables us to perform minimally invasive surgeries with high predictability, reproducibility and outcomes.”

As a designated Center of Excellence for Robotic Surgery, Providence St. Joseph Hospital is already a destination for patients who travel to seek treatment from our renowned spine and orthopedic surgeons. With this acquisition, the hospital is poised to remain at the forefront of world-class surgical care.

“This advanced technology provides yet another sophisticated platform for our surgeons to do what they do best,” says Brian Helleland, chief executive of Providence St. Joseph Hospital and the Orange County/High Desert area. “The unwavering support of our donors was the key to making this achievement possible. 

“We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to this remarkable milestone. We look forward to the continued collaboration that enables us to lead the way in medical innovation.”