Orlando, FL (April 12, 2023) – Nemours Children’s Health today announced a $2.2 million donation from The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation to support Nemours Children’s development of a Pediatric Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Program. This program aims to deliver advanced care with an emphasis on decreasing post-operative pain and hospital stays. The donation included the addition of a da Vinci Surgical System, designed to facilitate operating room procedures using a minimally invasive approach.
“Nemours Children’s Health is committed to creating the healthiest generations of children, which means staying at the forefront of medical innovation by utilizing technology that allows us to leap past current limitations in pediatric surgery,” said Adela Casas-Melley, MD, Chief of Surgery, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. “Through the continued support of The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation, we were able to purchase a da Vinci Surgical System for Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, and develop a Pediatric Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Program to enhance the overall patient experience and improve the recovery process for children. This robot has also allowed us to recruit top surgical talent.”
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery continues to gain popularity in pediatric urology due to the increased dexterity of the tools and their greater precision. The da Vinci Surgical System, which is the focus of Nemours’ Pediatric Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Program, is designed to dramatically improve patient outcomes by leveraging a minimally invasive approach. The robot’s arms are controlled by a trained surgeon, allowing them to employ micro-precision techniques such as bending and rotating instruments during surgical procedures, with a greater range of motion than the human hand. It also delivers magnified, three-dimensional high-definition views of the surgical area. With the addition of this most recent gift, The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation has donated more than $2.8 million to Nemours.
Nemours also implemented a social media campaign to allow community members, including patients and patient families, to select the name of the da Vinci Surgical System. The winning name for the robot is Alfie. The robot was named because it is viewed as an essential member of the clinical team.
“Supporting Nemours’ technological innovation speaks to our Foundation’s emphasis on children and healthcare," said Amanda Freeberg Donovan, Executive Director of The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Nemours Children’s Health to help improve the treatment experience for patients and their families.”
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About Nemours Children's Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children’s hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children’s seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children’s also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org. Nemours KidsHealth is a pioneer and leader in pediatric health content that has been trusted by millions worldwide for more than 25 years.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org.
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