ALBUQUERQUE, NM – April 14, 2025 – Lovelace Health System (LHS) has achieved multiple robotic surgery milestones. LHS is the only health system in the state of New Mexico with four daVinci 5® surgical robots in use, with three surgical robots located at Lovelace Women’s Hospital (LWH) and one located at Lovelace Medical Center (LMC). Lovelace Westside Hospital (LWSH) is home to the daVinci Xi® surgical robot.
The daVinci Surgical System provides surgeons an effective, minimally invasive option for complex procedures. Robotic surgery has many potential benefits compared to traditional open surgery, including less pain, less scarring, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to daily activities.
Mario Leyba, MD, FACS, a general surgeon with Lovelace Medical Group (LMG), has also completed his 4000th robotic procedure using the daVinci Surgical System. With this achievement, Dr. Leyba is now in the top 1% of general surgeons in both case volume and productivity in operating rooms in the entire country. He, along with Michael Blea, MD, FACS, general surgeon, are certified masters in robotic and hernia surgery. Surgical Review Corporation recognized these Lovelace providers for meeting national and international standards of the highest quality of care and patient safety. Drs. Blea and Leyba, along with LWH’s surgical teams, have helped the hospital perform nearly 11,000 robotic procedures.
“It takes an entire team to perform robotic procedures and we pride ourselves on performing at the highest level to ensure patient safety and world-class care,” said Mario Leyba, MD, board-certified general surgeon and chief of surgery at Lovelace Women’s Hospital. “These procedures change lives, allow our patients to heal faster, and help restore their quality of life.”
LMC was the first hospital in New Mexico to acquire the Intuitive daVinci 5 surgical system, and LWH is the first and only hospital in the state designated as a Surgical Review Corporation’s Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery (COERS). The COERS program recognizes surgeons and facilities worldwide performing robotic procedures and achieving defined standards for patient safety and care quality. LMG surgeons are the first in New Mexico certified as Master Surgeons as part of the Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery at LWH, including Dr. Leyba, a Master Surgeon in Hernia and Robotic Surgery. LWSH also now offers da Vinci robotic surgery treatment for hernia and colon procedures.
“We are honored to be a leader in New Mexico and offer the latest in state-of-the-art treatment options for our patients. Our highly skilled surgeons and care teams are dedicated to providing quality care close to home,” said Troy Greer, chief executive officer for LHS.
To learn more about Lovelace Health System and its commitment to providing quality and state-of-the art surgical services care, please visit lovelace.com. To make an appointment with a Lovelace Medical Group general surgeon, please call 505-727-2727.
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Contact:
Whitney Alcantar, Lovelace Health System
whitney.alcantar@lovelace.com
Mobile: 505.903.0367
Lovelace Health System
Lovelace is comprised of New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group, Lovelace Women’s Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center, Lovelace Westside Hospital, Lovelace Regional Hospital and Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital. Across its five hospitals, 33 health care clinics and seven outpatient therapy clinics, Lovelace has 619 inpatient beds and employs a team of more than 3,500, including over 311 health care providers. Lovelace continues to invest in our community, providing more than $106 million in unfunded care and supporting local nonprofit and community organizations with more than $404,000 in charitable contributions and community support in 2024. From the first and only hospital in New Mexico dedicated to women’s health to the state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to cardiovascular care, Lovelace is a leader in meeting the healthcare needs of this region. To learn more about our state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives, visit lovelace.com.
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