OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital

Originally from Argentina, Dr. Bustos developed an interest in rural surgery through his early experiences providing care abroad, where he saw the impact accessible, high-quality surgical services can have on patients and families.

“Van Wert Hospital gives me the unique opportunity to continue that path in combination with advanced surgical technologies that aren’t widely available elsewhere,” Dr. Bustos said. “I am committed to providing patients with exceptional care while allowing them to remain close to their homes, their support systems and their communities.”

Inspired by his father and sister, who are both general surgeons, Dr. Bustos said he was drawn to a career that combines medicine, technology and hands-on skill.

“Watching their commitment and compassion shaped my own path, inspiring me to pursue surgery with the same sense of purpose,” Dr. Bustos said. “Serving patients has become the greatest source of fulfillment for me, and it’s a responsibility I carry with pride every day.”

Dr. Bustos earned his medical degree from Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Argentina. He completed a research fellowship in minimally invasive and robotic surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and general surgery residency at Saint Louis University.

“We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Bustos to our team and to Van Wert," said Scott Jarvis, MD, associate vice president Clinical Affairs, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. "His expertise complements the strengths of our surgical team and will be a tremendous asset to the patients and communities we serve.”

Outside of medicine, Dr. Bustos enjoys soccer, tennis, computer science, traveling and spending time with his wife and two children.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact OhioHealth Van Wert General Surgery at (419) 238-4909.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Deepa Shah has completed her 1,000th robotic-assisted surgery at OhioHealth Berger Hospital, reflecting increased use of minimally invasive surgical techniques at the facility.
• Data shows robotic procedures are associated with reduced patient pain, shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions and faster recovery times.
• The availability of advanced surgical procedures at Berger Hospital allows patients in Circleville and surrounding communities to receive care locally, decreasing the need for travel and supporting better access to surgical treatment.

OhioHealth Berger Hospital surgeon Dr. Deepa Shah has completed her 1,000th robotic-assisted surgery, marking a major milestone in the continued growth of minimally invasive surgical care in the Circleville area.

Shah said the achievement reflects how robotic surgery has evolved locally in recent years and expanded access to advanced care for patients closer to home.

“This is evidence of how far we’ve come,” Shah said. “We are seeing minimally invasive surgery become the standard here, and more people in Circleville and our surrounding communities are able to get the advanced care they need without having to leave home.”

Since introducing the da Vinci surgical system, Berger Hospital has expanded robotic-assisted techniques across a range of procedures, including gallbladder removal, hernia repairs, colon and bowel surgery, reflux operations and select women’s health procedures.

Hospital leaders say the approach has led to measurable benefits for patients, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods.

Robotic surgery at Berger Hospital is supported by ongoing investments in hospital infrastructure, including a $10 million expansion project that added a new operating suite equipped with robotic technology. The project also included upgrades to pre- and post-operative care areas designed to improve patient comfort and recovery.

Casey Liddy, president of Berger Hospital, said the milestone reflects the hospital’s long-term commitment to expanding access to advanced care locally.

“Our goal has always been to ensure patients can access specialized care close to home,” Liddy said. “These investments allow us to do that while improving outcomes and the overall patient experience.”

Shah said the benefits of minimally invasive surgery are especially important for rural patients who might otherwise need to travel for care.

“We believe these minimally invasive techniques offer real benefits for our patients,” she said. “For many families, being able to stay in their own community and still receive advanced surgical care truly makes a difference.”

She added that local access reduces both financial and emotional strain for patients and families.

“You don’t have to travel for good care,” Shah said. “Leaving home and having to drive into another hospital that isn’t close to home is expensive. It is hard on families. It is taxing. It is uncomfortable. If we can get care locally, this really helps us.”

Over the past several years, Berger Hospital has continued to invest in surgical capabilities, including redesigned operating rooms, private pre- and post-operative spaces, and expanded recovery and waiting areas for patients and families.

“These improvements are designed to make surgical care not only safer and more efficient, but also more supportive for patients and their loved ones,” Liddy said.

Hospital leaders say they remain focused on expanding access to advanced surgical care throughout Pickaway County and surrounding communities as the program continues to grow.

OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital is now offering robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery, expanding access to advanced orthopedic care for patients in Athens and throughout southeast Ohio. The hospital recently completed its first robotic-assisted cases and now offers the technology for total knee replacement, partial knee replacement and total hip replacement procedures.

Robotic-assisted technology, including the ROSA system used at O’Bleness Hospital, supports surgeons with advanced planning and real-time guidance during surgery, allowing for a more personalized approach based on each patient’s anatomy. The surgeon remains fully in control throughout the procedure, using the technology to support precision and decision-making.

For patients, the technology allows surgeons to better tailor joint replacement to the individual. That can mean a joint that feels more natural and functions better during everyday activities.

“I’m excited to be able to offer state-of-the-art, robotic-assisted joint replacement right here in Athens,” said Sergio Ulloa, DO, orthopedic surgeon at O’Bleness Hospital. “The technology helps us plan more precisely and place implants in a way that’s best suited for each patient, with long-term outcomes in mind.”

The introduction of robotic-assisted joint replacement builds on recent investments in surgical services at O’Bleness Hospital, including the opening of new, modernized operating rooms in 2025.

“This is another important investment in the health of our community and the teams who care for our patients every day,” said LeeAnn Lucas-Helber, president of O’Bleness Hospital. “Our surgeons and surgical staff are excited to use these tools, and our patients benefit from having advanced orthopedic care available locally rather than needing to travel.”

OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has reached a major milestone, performing more than 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries since launching the program in 2020. This milestone marks years of local patients choosing robotic surgery with surgeons they know and trust.

“We’ve had the robot for five years now,” said Thomas Conte, MD, Van Wert Hospital chief of surgery. “As a rural facility, we’re on the cutting edge. It gives patients access to relatively new technology without having to travel to a larger center.”

Since the program began, Van Wert Hospital surgeons have expanded how robotic-assisted surgery is used, performing everything from appendectomies to colon resections using minimally invasive techniques. They operate the da Vinci® Surgical System, which replicates their hand movements with robotic precision.

“We each have hundreds of cases under our belt,” Dr. Conte said. “That experience matters. It builds confidence for patients and helps everything run smoothly in the operating room. This is very much a team effort. Nurses and everyone in the OR play a role in that success.”

Van Wert Hospital surgeon Jeremy Stoller, MD, said reaching 1,000 cases is a proud moment for the team.

"Hitting this milestone is reflective of the fact that we have transitioned completely to using robotic surgery for any minimally invasive hernia and abdominal surgery,” he said. “In the past, some surgeries required large incisions. Now we can do more procedures through small incisions, which means faster recovery and less post-surgical pain.”

Patient Richard Hines turned to robotic surgery to receive advanced care without the added stress of traveling far from home. When diverticulitis sent him to the emergency room multiple times, surgery became necessary.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Hines said. “But after talking with Dr. Conte, I felt completely comfortable. He explained how the robot works and how it would help during the surgery. That made a big difference going in.”

Recovery turned out to be much easier than he anticipated. Pain was minimal, and within a couple of days, he didn’t need any medication. Being able to recover close to home added to the comfort. His wife could visit easily, and there was no need to travel back and forth.

“I was actually a little bummed when they told me I was being discharged,” Hines said. “I had such great care.”

Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly used as an alternative to traditional open surgery and standard laparoscopic procedures. The system provides surgeons with a clearer, three-dimensional view and precise control, helping them work in areas that may be difficult to reach with other instruments.

“Our techniques and training are the same as any other bigger hospital with regard to the robotic platform,” Dr. Stoller said. “I think for our hospital and community, that is a big deal. Patients can trust in what we do, that our goal for every single patient is to offer standard of care robotic surgery." 

To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery at OhioHealth, click here.

When Jaimi Vore realized her leg pain was negatively impacting her quality of life, she decided it was time to get a professional opinion. At 46 years old, she enjoys staying active with her two children and husband. Vore has had leg troubles since she was a teenager, but she was able to keep her problems at bay for most of her adult life by attending psychical therapy.  

After a consultation with Matthew Bernhard, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, Vore agreed to a patellofemoral replacement with the help of a Mako orthopedic robot. Dr. Bernhard has been operating since 1995 but began using Mako robots at Mansfield Hospital in 2018.  

"Just like anything else with technology and cars and airplanes and any technology, it advances," Dr. Bernhard told Zach Tuggle at Mansfield News Journal. "The earlier robots are a lot different than the later robots”. 

With any technological advancement comes some skepticism, but Dr. Bernhard explains that the robots are not left alone and cannot do anything without human input. The robots are there to assist the doctor, not perform the procedure.  

"There's no doubt that machines just have more accuracy," Dr. Bernhard said. "It’s very similar to an airplane: a pilot can fly an airplane, but autopilots have been shown to be safer and they can do things that humans can't. That eliminates the human error.”. 

"I felt like they prepared me really, really well," Vore said. "They were really clear that this was not a marathon, not a quick fix where you're going to go home tomorrow and go back to life. You have to mentally prepare for a recovery”. 

While the robot was unexpected to Vore, she said it made her feel better knowing that it would provide such precise assistance. The surgery went smoothly, lasting about an hour, and Vore was able to complete a physical therapy session the same day.  

Now three months post-op, Vore said, "It feels way better than it did a month ago. I'm able to do the things that caused a lot of pain without pain”. She is already planning her next summer adventure with her kids, as she plans to get back to doing the things she loves without the pain.  

At OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, James Miller, DO, OhioHealth Physician Group, orthopedic surgery, and his team recently completed their 1,000th procedure using the Stryker Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery system. The achievement came as the hospital added a second robot, the first Mako 4 robot in Columbus and central Ohio, allowing for more efficient scheduling and expanded access to care.

“A thousand patients is a lot,” Dr. Miller said. “It’s a cool milestone to hit. This was definitely something that we are looking forward to, to do a little bit of a celebration to congratulate the staff.”

Meanwhile, at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Lance Maynard, DO, OhioHealth Physician Group, orthopedic surgery, is closing in on 2,000 robotic-assisted joint replacements. Both physicians use the Mako system to perform total and partial knee replacements, as well as total hip replacements.

“The Mako robot combines navigation, robotics and advanced software,” Dr. Maynard said. “It takes difficult cases and transforms them into more reproducible, accurate, precise outcomes.”

The technology allows for detailed preoperative planning and guides the robotic arm to make exact cuts within millimeters of accuracy. This level of precision can lead to better alignment, reduced pain and implants that last longer.

With the second robot now in place at Dublin Methodist Hospital, the surgical team can operate in two rooms at once, a step toward reducing patient wait times and increasing overall volume.

“We're able to get more patients in,” Dr. Miller said. “We're able to increase our volume per day, per month, per year. That allows patients easier access to care and helps them get their quality of life back sooner.”

Success in reaching these milestones, both say, comes down to collaboration—across office teams, nurse practitioners and operating room staff. And while the numbers are notable, the focus remains on what they represent.

“Reaching these milestones shows that OhioHealth is a leader not just in the state, but really growing as a leader in the country in robotic assisted joint placement,” Dr. Maynard said. “It’s an organization that really strives for patient care and growth of the physician and growth for that relationship with our patients.”

As demand for joint replacements continues to rise, OhioHealth’s investments in robotic technology and surgical innovation are helping shape the future of orthopedic care.

“I think it's huge for OhioHealth to continue to support the orthopedic surgeons with giving us the tools and resources that we need to provide the care that we believe in for our patients,” Dr. Miller said.

To learn more about joint replacement services at OhioHealth, click here.

The new operating room boasts 200 square feet of additional space, totaling 800 square feet, and is equipped with cutting-edge robotic technology to ensure the highest quality of care for patients.

"This investment reaffirms OhioHealth's commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services to the communities we serve," said Casey Liddy, president of OhioHealth Berger Hospital. "The project will advance our surgical care while enhancing the overall experience for our patients."

In addition to the new operating room, the project includes the expansion and modernization of the hospital’s pre-surgery areas, Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and waiting rooms.

Improvements will result in private pre- and post-operative rooms, an expanded surgery waiting room and enhanced wayfinding to make it easier for patients and their families to navigate the hospital’s surgery area.

Construction on the new operating room was completed in February, with renovations to the pre- and post- operative rooms scheduled to begin in July. Upon completion, the updated facilities will accommodate growing surgical volumes and provide a more comfortable and efficient environment for patients and staff alike.

"This investment underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of our community," added Liddy. "By enhancing our surgical capabilities and infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for future growth and ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care right here at OhioHealth Berger Hospital."

The project aligns with OhioHealth's strategic goals of keeping care local, enhancing patient experience, and fostering continued growth and innovation in healthcare delivery.

Shah and the surgical team have been performing a range of procedures robotically since the introduction of the method at Berger Hospital in 2021, including gallbladder removal, hernia repairs, colon and bowel resection, reflux operations, hysterectomy and removal of ovarian cysts. The technology makes it possible to complete complex procedures locally, rather than having to travel outside of the community for care.

In addition to keeping care local for community members, the innovative approach offers patients numerous benefits. "The advantages of robotic surgery are evident in better patient outcomes,” said Shah. “We observe less pain for our patients, as well as lower readmission rates, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery compared to traditional laparoscopic or open surgeries.”

“At the end of the day, the faster we can get our patients out of the hospital and back to their normal lives the better they are going to do,” said Shah.

Hospital president Casey Liddy emphasized the positive impact of investing in robotic technology. "Berger Hospital’s investment in the da Vinci Surgical System reflects our commitment to providing technologically advanced healthcare in our local community,” said Liddy. “The introduction of robotic surgery has significantly improved patient care and outcomes."

Shah’s 500th robotic surgery, performed on November 9, marks a milestone in the hospital's use of advanced surgical methods. Shah acknowledged the collaborative effort, stating, "I am thankful for the amazing team that supports me in providing the best care to our community."

Berger Hospital introduced the da Vinci Surgical System in March 2021, and enhanced the technology with a feature called XI in 2022.

The hospital will soon dedicate a space for the robot in a newly built operating room, reinforcing its commitment to advanced surgical care.

OhioHealth Berger Hospital offers a range of robotic surgery specialties, including colon and rectal surgeries, foregut surgery, general surgery and women’s health.

“Congratulations to Dr. Shah and the entire surgical team on this remarkable achievement,” said Liddy. “We look forward to celebrating the next 500 robotic surgeries alongside them.”

The robotic-assisted surgery program at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital is expanding in use and breadth of services, giving patients more options for minimally invasive procedures. “I think it’s a game changer,” said Dr. Thomas Conte, the hospital’s chief of surgery. “I think people should feel blessed that we have this cutting-edge technology in a rural area.

“We’re creating the same standard of care at home as you would in a larger city,” said Dr. Craig Hanson, who also performs robotic surgeries at Van Wert.

Since December 2020, OhioHealth physicians have performed more than 800 operations using the da Vinci® Surgical System to treat a wide of array of conditions, including perforated stomach ulcers and colons, hernias and gallbladder disease. Other surgical services include bladder repairs as well as treatment of endometriosis and other urogynecological problems; additional growth has been seen in prostate surgery and the treatment of acid reflux disease. 

Robotic-assisted surgery is being used increasingly as an alternative to traditional open and other minimally invasive surgeries, such as laparoscopies. Robotic technology gives surgeons an enhanced and magnified view inside the patient’s body and provides them with a set of surgical “hands” that can move and maneuver more precisely than human ones.

However, a human being, not the robot, is 100 percent in control. “The robot doesn’t perform the surgery, it replicates my hand movements. It allows me to get in spaces I couldn’t otherwise access,” Dr. Conte said. “The robot is an additional tool we can use to help the patient.”

Dr. Hanson said the robotic system’s three-dimensional, panoramic imaging capability provides a much clearer view than laparoscopy. “It’s kind of like the difference between an old black-and-white TV and the latest generation HDTV, where you can see every blade of grass on the football field. It makes you a much more precise surgeon.”

Compared to traditional surgery, robotic procedures shorten healing time, allowing patients to get back to normal more quickly. “I’ve had patients tell me, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t feel this good,’ Dr. Hanson said. Less pain means reduced need for narcotics, and the risk of blood loss and infection also is lower.

“This reaps tremendous benefits for the patient,” said Dr. Conte. Robotic surgery isn’t always the better option, but when used appropriately, it can make a significant difference for both patients and their families and caregivers, he said.

At a recent meeting of the American College of Surgeons, about 40 percent of attendees responded yes when asked how many had 24/7 access to a robotic surgery system, Dr. Conte said.

“Little Van Wert is at least as good as half the places in the country, and better than the majority. For many things, small-town hospitals can do things at least as well or better than hospitals in large cities, and with more empathy. When you’re in a rural area, you want that personal touch,” said Dr. Conte.

The robotic surgery system at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital was made possible by a gift from area philanthropists Bruce and Julie Kennedy.

Mako is a unique, robotic arm-assisted technology used for hip, total knee and joint replacement surgeries. Mansfield Hospital is the region’s first hospital to implement this technology. Over the past year, the robot has helped with over 700 procedures, operating as an extra set of hands for physicians like Matthew Bernhard, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Mansfield Hospital.

"The robot takes the guesswork out of what we're doing," Dr. Bernhard told Mansfield News Journal reporter Zach Tuggle. "It gives us precise alignment."

Though joint replacements started to become more common in the 1960s, the technology and instruments used to carry out the procedures haven’t been updated since the 1990s. New gadgets like Mako are leading to safer and more accurate procedures.

So far, Mansfield Hopsital has been taking full advantage of Mako’s abilities, using the robot in almost every total joint procedure the hospital oversees. Though the procedures take about 10 minutes longer with Mako’s help, physicians can better ensure joints are lined up perfectly so that patients don't have issues walking in the future.

Although Dr. Bernhard explains that patients are still required to complete physical therapy after the surgeries, he noted that their recovery times have been reduced, and they have lower early post-operative pain, amongst other benefits.

"I'm finding with my patients that they are getting extension and flexion must faster," Bernhard said. "I'm a believer that when the knee is put in perfect alignment, it will last longer. That's the goal."

Mansfield Hospital is also the region’s only hospital to attain the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for excellence in hip and knee replacement and was recently recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for joint replacement.

To learn more about orthopedic services at OhioHealth, click here.

To read the full article by the Mansfield News Journal, click on their logo below.

Dr. Ronney Abaza, a robotic urologic surgeon at Dublin Methodist is one of the first five surgeons in the world to complete more than 5,000 robotic cases. He was at the helm of the first single port robotic surgery in central Ohio in mid-January, doing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from a patient’s kidney.

“At the end of the operation, they have just one scar instead of four,” said Dr. Abaza. “So hopefully that means faster recovery, less soreness afterward, they’ll be up and walking faster, get home faster. So that’s what we’re trying to accomplish by reducing the number of incisions that we make.”

Since the technology is still so new, Dr. Abaza and other surgeons worldwide are working to determine the best ways to utilize it.

“We need to figure out how we can perfect this technology, just as we have with other types of robotic surgery. So we’re starting with the simplest operations until we get used to the robot to figure out the best operations suited to it, what adjustments we can make working with one incision instead of four,” said Dr. Abaza.

As for the first patient to be operated on with the technology?

“I’m 100% sure he’s going to have a fantastic outcome,” said Dr. Abaza.

To learn more about robotic surgery at OhioHealth, click here.

Using the CorePath robotic system, interventional cardiologist John A. Phillips, MD, successfully removed plaque and placed a stent to unclog blockages in the leg of a woman in her mid-60s. The groundbreaking outpatient procedure occurred in early November.

“It went well, we achieved our objective. The patient went home the same day, without any complications” Phillips said procedure. “Robotics are here to stay, we are blazing a new path. Only a handful of centers nationwide are using the robot for the treatment of PAD.”

The non-surgical, minimally invasive intervention uses radiologic imaging to guide instruments such as catheters and balloons through blood vessels. For much of the procedure, Phillips sat in a “cockpit,” away from the patient. Via a computer, he manipulated tiny tools attached to a robotic arm, manipulating the tools according to precise anatomical measurements.

The Food and Drug Administration earlier this year approved the application of the robot for the treatment of PAD.

The robot helps physicians and staff to reduce their exposure to radiation and eliminates the need to wear heavy leaded gear to guard against radiation exposure.

“It allows us to take off our protective lead,” Phillips said. “A fairly large percentage of us develop back, neck and spinal injuries from wearing it.”

For the patient, the precision of robotic-assisted PAD treatment helps reduce the use of unnecessary additional stents. 

Riverside activated the robot in late October and also has used it for angioplasty to treat coronary artery disease, with similar benefits for physicians, staff and patients. It is one of just dozens of hospitals nationwide using the robot to treat coronary artery disease.

Phillips is most excited about possible future uses for the robot. “It has the potential to take wires and other tools to places inside the vessels we have not been able to take them before, with a high degree of accuracy; and it may enable us to treat patients in rural areas remotely who may not have access to high-quality care,” he said.

Phillips is working closely with the manufacturer Corindus Vascular Robotics Inc. of Waltham, Mass. to develop these and other possibilities.

“We are continuing to learn,” he said. “The company is working with our group at Riverside to further develop it so it can be used universally in the future, which is a feather in our cap. This robot reflects the desire of OhioHealth to be on the leading edge of new technology. You become stagnant if you do not embrace new technologies that may ultimately improve patient care.”

Over 200 million people worldwide have PAD, a narrowing or blockage of arteries in the lower extremities. The incidence increases with age.

Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.

Lung cancer often involves a significant operation to remove the tumor and its associated lung. Now, robotic surgery, which is commonly used in cancers like prostate, is being used in lung cancer patients. This state-of-the-art approach is reducing complications and lowering costs for patients.

Vincent Daniel, MD, thoracic surgeon with OhioHealth Heart, Lung & Vascular Surgeons at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, is one of the only doctors in central Ohio routinely performing this surgery on lung cancer patients.

“With robotic technology, we are able to go in between the rib spaces with very small instruments, many of which measure less than one inch in size,” Dr. Daniel told ABC6 reporter Terri Sullivan, “and actually remove the entire lung cancer as well as the associated surrounding lung and lymph node using this technique.”

The procedure is more cost-effective than traditional lung cancer surgery because it has a shorter hospital recovery time. Frecker said she had her surgery on a Tuesday evening and was home by Friday morning. In addition to a shorter hospital stay, she only needed over-the-counter medications to treat her pain.

Dr. Daniel said this new approach does not take away from the fact that it is still a major procedure, and there will be pain associated with the recovery.

“But when you see [the patients] two weeks later at follow up and really how much of their life they have been able to recover and are really assuming in terms of their activity, return to work, things like that,” Dr. Daniel said. “They’re very grateful and very happy with what this new technology has really provided them.”

To view the story, click on the ABC6 logo.

As we’ve shared on the OhioHealth Newsroom this fall, ABC6/FOX28 anchor Kurt Ludlow was recently diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer. He announced his diagnosis on air and took the opportunity to share important information with viewers including:

• How to get screened
• How prostate cancer is treated
• Robotic surgery
• Who is at risk

Kurt bravely invited a videojournalist from ABC6 to follow him from the moment he arrived at the hospital during the early morning hours of September 19 for his surgery through being checked into the hospital for recovery post-surgery – and everything in between.  

That story recently aired on ABC6, which you can watch above. To view Kurt’s earlier stories in the series, simply click on each of the above bullet points.

At OhioHealth, we recommend that men begin screenings with a baseline test between the ages of 45 and 49.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, behind skin cancer. It typically occurs in older men, but can also occur early – including in men in their forties. Some prostate cancers are slow growing, but others are life threatening and early diagnosis is critical to cure.

Approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. And, if you have a father or brother with prostate cancer, your risk of getting it more than doubles.

Most men who have it have shown no symptoms, so the only way to find their cancers in time for cure, before it spreads to other parts of the body, is with screening. Ask your doctor about how to get screened. For more information about prostate cancer, click here.

On Monday, ABC6 news anchor Kurt Ludlow had surgery at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital to remove his prostate. Ludlow was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Urologist John Burgers, MD, used the DaVinci robot to remove the prostate.

Using the DaVinci means the surgery was minimally invasive. The surgeon sits at a console where he sees a magnified, three dimensional image from a camera inside the body. From the console, he is able to use his hands to control the tiny instruments to remove the prostate. 

"So as opposed to making an incision, we make little holes, fill the belly with gas, and that gas is what creates this space to work in," Burgers told Ludlow. "The instruments are placed into these holes and then they're attached to a robotic device. Now the advantage of that is whatever I do with my hands on the outside, it does for me on the inside. So it's as if I had you open, without opening you."

Because the DaVinci system allows for incredible dexterity, the surgeon is able to work around the surrounding nerves and muscles. Once he detached the prostate, it was removed through one of the small holes that was made.

It’s unlikely that Ludlow’s cancer has spread, because it was caught early following a routine screening. However, lymph nodes that were near the prostate will be sent to the lab for review, just to be sure.

"This isn't a death sentence," said Burgers. "It doesn't mean you're going to have a terrible life afterwards. We can now cure it because of the technology and all we have and because we find it early enough we can cure it and you can have a very normal lifestyle afterwards."

When he returns to work in a couple of weeks, Ludlow will take you into the operating room to share the story of what the surgery experience was like. You’ll be able to see that story on ABC6 and right here on the OhioHealth Newsroom.