ALBUQUERQUE, NM – July 9, 2025 – Lovelace Medical Group (LMG) pulmonologist Dr. Jeffrey Mazer today performed the 100th Ion Endoluminal System (Ion) case at Lovelace Medical Center (LMC) using the Ion Robotic bronchoscopy procedure, an innovative technology that helps to biopsy lung nodules, detecting lung cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Dr. Mazer and his colleague, pulmonologist Viral Gandhi, MD, completed the first 100 cases at LMC.
The Ion procedure allows a pulmonologist to navigate to nodules in all 18 segments of the lung and remove tissue for biopsy with precision and accuracy. This results in less risk for patients than a traditional biopsy technique and a higher likelihood that tissue samples obtained during the procedure will provide physicians with information needed to establish a diagnosis.
“Reaching our 100th Ion case is a truly exciting moment and one that is life-changing for patients,” said Dr. Mazer. “This new technology makes it easier for us to care for patients with lung abnormalities, detect cancer earlier and improve outcomes for our patients.”
During an Ion bronchoscopy, a camera steadily leads a catheter to a nodule and uses its robotic technology to stabilize and adjust with the patient’s breath. Physicians can plan their procedures using a CT scan of the patients’ lungs to create a path to the pulmonary nodule. Ion’s Biopsy Marker also enables team members to biopsy the targeted area, track the number of biopsies and visualize alternative biopsy pathways.
“Lovelace Medical Center is proud of Drs. Mazer and Gandhi for successfully completing 100 Ion procedures,” said Brian Miller, chief executive officer for LMC. “This important milestone is another example of our commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our patients, close to home, without having to travel out of state for the latest technology.”
For more information on the Ion system, please visit intuitive.com. To learn more about LMC and its commitment to state-of-the-art surgical treatment with quality and compassionate care, please visit lovelace.com.
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Contact:
Whitney Alcantar, Lovelace Health System
whitney.alcantar@lovelace.com
Mobile: 505.903.0367
Lovelace Medical Center
Lovelace Medical Center (LMC), located in the heart of Albuquerque, is a 263-bed acute care hospital with over 1,100 employees providing comprehensive care, including around-the-clock emergency care, surgical services, non-invasive robotic spine surgery, cardiology, stroke care, radiology and oncology services. LMC was recently named to U.S. News & World Report High Performing Best Hospitals, in Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Stroke and COPD got 2022 -2023 and received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for 2024 for the 12th consecutive year. LMC earned Spine Surgery Program Certification from DNV for 2022- 2025 by demonstrating excellence in orthopedic surgery, including diagnosis and treatments in spine surgery as well as Primary Stroke Center Certification from DNV for 2022 – 2025 for its readiness to handle a full range of stroke-related medical problems. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awarded LMC, one of only 249 programs in the world, the Practice Transitional Accreditation Program (PTAP) for 2023, signifying that the hospital is following best practices and utilizing an evidence-based curriculum that is focused on helping the new graduate nurse transition from student nurse into professional nursing practice. To learn more about the state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives at Lovelace Medical Center, visit lovelace.com.
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