FLORENCE, Ala., – North Alabama Medical Center (NAMC) has announced it has become the first hospital in the Shoals region—and only the sixth in the state of Alabama—to acquire and utilize the da Vinci 5, the newest and most advanced robotic surgical system from Intuitive.

The arrival of the da Vinci 5 (DV5) marks a significant evolution in NAMC’s surgical capabilities, building on a legacy of excellence that began when the hospital first introduced robotic surgery in 2013. Dr. Zachary Griffith recently performed the hospital’s first procedure using the new platform, which joins NAMC’s existing fleet of two da Vinci Xi machines.

“Everything went extremely well,” said Dr. Zachary Griffith, who has performed 615 robotic surgeries throughout his career. “The DV5 is a significant leap forward. From a practical side, the ergonomics are much better, which is helpful during longer cases. The haptic feedback also allows for more precision when measuring tension on a patient’s tissue, making robotic surgery even safer.”

The da Vinci 5 introduces more than 150 design enhancements over previous models, most notably Force Feedback technology. This allows surgeons to "feel" the push-and-pull forces exerted on tissue during a procedure—a sensation previously missing from robotic platforms.

Other key features of the DV5 include: Enhanced Visualization: The highest-resolution 3D display available, Unprecedented Computing Power: With 10,000 times the processing power of its predecessor and Streamlined Workflow: Integrated tools that allow the surgical team to operate with greater efficiency.

“We are proud to bring this level of technology and care to the Shoals,” said Mike Howard, CEO and Market President of North Alabama Medical Center. “The addition of the DV5 reflects our ongoing investment in innovation and our surgical teams. Our focus remains on delivering the highest quality, personalized, minimally invasive care to our community.”

NAMC has performed more than 4,500 robotic surgeries to date. The addition of the da Vinci 5 will allow more surgeons to offer minimally invasive options for complex surgeries.