Page 14 - Explore Sumter NCG 2025

FEA TURE

Making Every

Life Better

Phoebe Sumter Medical Center harnesses
robotic surgery for precision and efficiency.

P hoebe Health, based in Albany, Ga., operates system’s purchase, Phoebe’s bariatrics surgeons began

a state-of-the-art facility in Sumter County.
using the new system for weight loss patients in June
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center features a wide
other general and specialty surgeries at Phoebe Sumter.
range of services, including surgery, in-patient care, 2023 and, soon after, physicians started using it for
birthing suites, and specialty care. The Phoebe system “Previously, we needed two surgeons in the
has four hospitals (one in Americus) and around 45 operating room for our bariatric surgeries. The robotic
clinics. In addition to three primary care clinics in system allows just one surgeon to safely perform the
Sumter County, Phoebe Sumter also includes specialty procedure, so we’ve been able to expand our program
care clinics that provide cardiology, orthopedic, and serve more patients, and we’re seeing great
hematology and oncology, general and bariatric outcomes,” said Dr. Joyner.
surgery, and pediatric services. Since the rural hospital tax credit program began in
The most recent addition to Phoebe Sumter is 2017, Phoebe Sumter has received more than
robotic surgery. Dr. Jeremy $5 million in Georgia HEART
Joyner said he is able to use “The Phoebe Vision is to make contributions. The hospital
the robotics system for almost every life we touch better.” has used those funds to
every procedure. Bariatrics, purchase new technology and
hernia repairs, and gall Ben Roberts, Phoebe’s Director equipment, as well as new
bladder surgery are among of PR & Communications. services such as a cardiac
the operations performed rehabilitation gym.
using the robotic system. “We are committed to
The system allows surgeons to perform minimally living up to that vision by improving access to
invasive procedures, operating through one or a few quality, advanced healthcare throughout southwest
small incisions. The instruments, which physicians Georgia,” said Ben Roberts, Phoebe’s Director of
guide in real-time through a console, provide a greater PR & Communications.
range of motion than the human hand and deliver There are times, Roberts added, when people take
highly magnified, 3-D, high-definition views of the for granted everything Phoebe offers. “It’s unusual for
surgical area. communities of this size to have the array of services
Dr. Jason Langer, a Phoebe general surgeon in available at Phoebe,” he said.
Albany, said “anything I could do laparoscopically, I Phoebe Sumter welcomes patients throughout
can do better and with more fine technique robotically.” Sumter County and provides high-quality care
In Americus, where contributions through the without the need to travel to larger cities. For Sumter
Georgia HEART (Helping Advance Access to Rural residents, life here is better.
Treatment) hospital tax credit program funded the Learn more at phoebehealth.com

10 Phoebe Sumter Medical Center sumtercountychamber.com