Val Verde Regional Medical Center Bringing Cutting-Edge Da Vinci 5 Surgical System to Del Rio

DEL RIO, TX -- In a major step forward for healthcare in Del Rio and the surrounding border region, Val Verde Regional Medical Center (VVRMC) has announced it will soon add the advanced Da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system, bringing next-generation robotic-assisted surgery to the community.
Hospital leadership says the investment is aimed at expanding access to high quality specialty care locally while reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for advanced surgical procedures.
The Da Vinci 5 system, developed by Intuitive Surgical, is the latest evolution in robotic assisted surgery technology. It is designed to provide surgeons with enhanced precision, improved visualization, and greater control during minimally invasive procedures. Benefits to patients can include smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
“As a rural hospital serving a border community, our responsibility is to ensure patients have access to the same level of care found in larger metropolitan areas,” said Jorge Jurado, CEO of Val Verde Regional Medical Center. “The addition of the da Vinci 5 system allows us to eliminate barriers to care, improve outcomes, and keep patients close to home.”
Healthcare leaders say the addition is especially important for rural communities, where access to specialty physicians and surgical services can often be limited. By introducing robotic assisted surgery in Del Rio, VVRMC hopes to improve timely treatment options and reduce healthcare disparities.
Several physicians at the medical center with prior robotic surgery experience are expected to utilize the new platform across multiple specialties, including:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology 
• Bariatric Surgery 
• Colorectal Surgery 
• General Surgery 
• Surgical Oncology 

Participating physicians are expected to include:

• Dr. Ashley Lopez – Obstetrics and Gynecology 
• Dr. Antonio Castaneda – Bariatric and General Surgery 
• Dr. Wyn Nguyen – Colorectal and General Surgery 
• Dr. Shawn Nichols – General Surgery and Surgical Oncology 

Dr. Mark Manning, Chief Medical Officer at VVRMC, praised the advancement and its impact on the future of local healthcare.
“After 33 years practicing surgery in Del Rio, this technology represents an important step forward for our patients and the future of surgery in our community,” Manning said.
Hospital officials say the robotic system is expected to arrive within the next six weeks, followed by installation and staff training. The first robotic-assisted procedures are anticipated to begin in late May or early June.
Beyond patient care, VVRMC says the new system will also help recruit and retain physicians in high-demand specialties such as urology and women’s health.
The addition of the da Vinci 5 system reflects the hospital’s broader mission to strengthen specialty care, improve patient outcomes, and ensure residents of Del Rio and Val Verde County can receive advanced treatment close to home.
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