Mercy Fitz acquires technologically advanced surgical robot system
DARBY BOROUGH » Mercy Fitzgerald announced the recent acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot System, this week. Designed to further advance the technology used in minimally invasive surgery, the da Vinci XI Robot will be utilized by the surgical team for gynecology, bariatric, cardiac and general surgeries. The da Vinci Xi System is an expandable technology platform designed to accommodate and seamlessly integrate a range of current technologies, as well as future innovations, in areas such as imaging, advanced instruments and anatomical access.
“As technology becomes more advanced, Mercy Fitzgerald continues to invest in equipment and services to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Chris Cullom, president of Mercy Catholic Medical Center. “We are truly thrilled to bring enhanced capabilities for minimally invasive surgery to Delaware County and surrounding communities that will reduce scarring and speed recovery for our surgical patients.”
Deon Vigilance, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, will lead the implementation of the Robotic Surgery Program at Mercy Fitzgerald with the first robotic surgeries taking place in early April on bariatric and hernia patients.
“Robotic surgery has become the standard of care for minimally invasive surgery,” said Dr. Vigilance. “By acquiring the da Vinci Xi robot, Mercy Fitzgerald patients will now have access to the latest technology for surgical procedures, closer to home.”
By enabling efficient access throughout the abdomen or chest, the da Vinci Xi System expands upon core da Vinci System features, including wristed instruments, 3D-HD visualization, intuitive motion, and an ergonomic design. As with all da Vinci Surgical Systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci System, which translates his/her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. The Xi System’s immersive 3DHD vision system provides surgeons a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.
For more information on minimally invasive surgical options at Mercy Fitzgerald, contact Mercy Surgical Associates at 610-534-6170 or visit trinityhealthma.org.
Lansdowne holds groundbreaking ceremony for Gateway Slope
Lansdowne Borough has scheduled a Groundbreaking Ceremony for Lansdowne Borough’s Gateway Slope Project, 10 a.m. Friday, April 16 at the Southeast corner of Baltimore Avenue and Scottdale Road. Members of Lansdowne Borough Council and Mayor Tony Campuzano will take part in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Lansdowne Borough was awarded two grants to support the development of a pedestrian trail as an extension of the Hoffman Park trail. The new trail extension known as Gateway Slope will connect to the existing trail at the Southeast corner of Scottdale and Baltimore Avenue with Eldon Road at Baltimore Avenue. The project will allow for disbandment of the existing sidewalk that is inadequate and dangerously close to Baltimore Avenue traffic.
The two awards total $600,000, one from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnership Program C2P2 in the amount of $300,000 and another from the Commonwealth Financing Authority Multimodal Transportation Fund in the amount of $300,000.
For additional information, visit www.lansdowneborough.com. For information on the Gateway Slope Project visit: https://www.lansdowneborough.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=297.
Shredding, prescription drug collection event planned at Strath Haven High
State Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-161 of Nether Providence and state Sen. John Kane, D-9 or Birmingham, are holding a free shredding and prescription drug collection event, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 17, in the rear parking lot at Strath Haven High School, 205 S. Providence Road, Wallingford.
Residents are invited to bring up to four boxes of documents to have them shredded on site. In addition, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office will be on-site collecting unneeded medications for proper disposal.
Shredding documents that contain personal information helps individuals protect their identity, and proper disposal of medications can prevent misuse.
Attendees should wear a mask and stay in their vehicles for the no-contact event. Staff will remove the materials from vehicles for shredding. Anyone with questions can contact Krueger’s office at 610-534-6880.
Golfers needed for Springfield Ed Foundation’s annual golf outing
The Springfield Area Educational Foundation and Springfield High School Alumni will sponsor “Fore Our Students.,” their Annual Golf Tournament/Dinner, at the Rolling Green Golf Club on Monday, June 7, with registration beginning at 11 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. shotgun start; 6 p.m. dinner/ awards ceremony/auction.
The full-event tournament, postponed from June 2020, will adhere to all COVID-19 safety practices and social distancing requirements.
SAEF’s largest fundraiser will benefit the many meaningful and critical educational programs for all students in the Springfield School District. Last year’s fund raiser raised over $75,000 to support many critical student and teacher programs needed during the pandemic in the classrooms.
For more information, contact Golf Event Chair and SAEF President Steve Todaro at cuonthetee@aol.com or via phone to John Falcone at 610328-6914. The field is limited to 120 golfers. Currently, range, tee and other sponsorship level opportunities are available.
Fee is $275 per golfer. Foursomes will be assigned tee times between 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Golf package includes green fees, golf cart, box lunch, dinner, and access to cash bar. After round, outdoor and indoor dinner stations at the Rolling Green Golf Club will be featured.
The Springfield Area Educational Foundation’s mission is to enrich the 3 As— academic, artistic and athletic experiences - of all Springfield School District students. In 2005, the SSD established SAEF to provide educational opportunities for students who attend public schools in the Springfield and Morton communities. To learn more, call Jan Griesemer in the SAEF development office at 610-938-6034. For more information on the golf event, visit www.saef.net/golf.
Celebrate Earth Day with songs, stories, yoga and more
Families are invited to bring the kids, and a bag lunch, to celebrate “Earth Day” with a special free lunchtime program of songs, yoga, stories and art, 12:30- 1:15 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at the corner of Cresson Avenue and Swarthmore Avenue, Swarthmore.
The outdoor family program, co-hosted by World of Song’s Allison DeSalvo and the Friends of Little Crum Creek Park, will feature fun, interactive activities while teaching about the 3R’ and humans’ connection to the earth through songs, stories, yoga, a scavenger hunt game and a simple craft geared for ages 2 – 7. Masks are required.
Although the event is free, donations are appreciated for Friends of Little Crum Creek Park. People are advised to bring lunch and a blanket. If it rains, the program will be cancelled. For more Information, go to “Events” at www. worldofsong.com.
APPRISE offers free individual Medicare counseling
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, free Appraise counseling sessions will be held over the phone by a trained appraise counselor on the following Wednesdays: May 5 and May 19 from 3- 6 p.m. and May 12 and May 26 from 10 a.m.2 p.m.
Medicare Individual Counseling sessions are 30 to 60 minutes in length and scheduled to assist Medicare beneficiaries with questions and concerns, regarding Medigap plan comparisons and other Medicare and Health Insurance associated information. Attendees can be all Medicare Beneficiaries, Medicare caregivers, and anyone new to Medicare for the 2021 calendar year.
Registration is required by calling Eileen at 484496-2137.