WinnMed Invests in Cutting-Edge da Vinci Surgical Robot to Enhance Patient Care

Without your donation, some stories vanish. Support Decorah News. DECORAH — WinnMed has acquired a da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system, a state-of-the-art platform that will expand access to advanced minimally invasive procedures for patients in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and surrounding communities. It is the second da Vinci 5 system in Iowa, following the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The da Vinci system is widely used in robotic-assisted surgery and is known for enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, flexibility and control through small incisions. Benefits for patients may include less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. "This is a significant step forward for WinnMed and the communities we serve," said Steve Slessor, WinnMed chief administrative officer. "The da Vinci robot represents a transformative investment in surgical care, and we are excited to bring this level of innovation to the northeast Iowa region." The system is housed in one of WinnMed's newly constructed operating rooms, designed specifically for robotic technology as part of the Transforming Tomorrow renovation and expansion project. Surgeons from all Decorah medical practices will use the robot for designated procedures at WinnMed. Beginning in 2025, general surgeons Erik Brink, D.O., of WinnMed; Caroline Schwickerath, D.O., of Mayo Clinic Health System; and Chris Winters, M.D., of Emplify Health by Gundersen will begin performing robotic surgeries. Additional surgeons are expected to begin using the system in 2026. "Robotic-assisted surgery allows us to perform procedures with greater accuracy and less trauma to the body," Brink said. "For patients, this means quicker recovery times and fewer complications." Brink was first introduced to da Vinci technology in 2009 during medical school and residency, then again after serving in the U.S. Navy. He has performed robotic surgery since 2023 and helped bring the technology to WinnMed when he joined the practice in spring 2025. Winters said robotic-assisted procedures allow complex operations to be completed through small incisions, offering "an opportunity for a better outcome, faster recovery and less discomfort." The da Vinci 5 system supports a range of procedures, including hernia repairs, gallbladder removal, colorectal procedures and treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may also be used for urologic and gynecologic surgeries, depending on patient needs and future service expansion. For more information, visit www.winnmed.org. Never a dull moment! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay one step ahead with local news and information you just can't get anywhere else.