Robotic-assisted surgery now available in central Alberta

Please click here for b-roll of a robotic surgery being performed by Dr. Stephanus Van Zyl. Photos of Dr. Van Zyl and the da Vinci surgical system are available for use here.

RED DEER – Patients in central Alberta are gaining greater access to advanced surgical care closer to home with the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC).

The da Vinci surgical system, acquired through a $3.5-million donation from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, has been in use at RDRHC since May. This technology provides surgeons with enhanced visualization, precision and control, supporting minimally invasive procedures and expanding the hospital’s ability to provide specialized surgical care.

“Robotic-assisted surgery is an important addition to our surgical program,” says urologist Dr. Stephanus Van Zyl.

“It gives our teams another tool to provide high-quality, specialized care to patients in central Alberta. We are excited about the opportunities this technology creates for our patients, our surgical teams and the future of surgery at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.”

Since the program began, four surgeons have completed over 80 robotic-assisted procedures, primarily prostate and kidney surgeries. Additional surgeons are currently training on the technology, with RDRHC exploring other procedures that could benefit from robotic-assisted surgery.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, surgeons now have access to the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, bringing the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology to our region,” says Manon Therriault, Chief Executive Officer at Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. “This investment is about much more than technology — it’s about improving the patient experience and expanding access to high-quality care closer to home.”

Robotic-assisted surgery offers the benefits of minimally invasive procedures for patients, including less pain following surgery and shorter hospital stays.

The da Vinci system provides enhanced precision and visualization for surgeons while offering improved ergonomics during surgery. The technology is also helping RDRHC grow its surgical program and can support the recruitment and retention of highly skilled surgical professionals in central Alberta.

“By investing in a modern surgical program in Red Deer, we’re creating new opportunities to recruit and retain talented surgeons, grow our healthcare workforce and bring more complex care closer to home,” says Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services. “It’s a great example of how innovation, surgical expertise and philanthropy are coming together to advance healthcare in central Alberta.”

The introduction of robotic-assisted surgery at RDRHC is part of the broader growth of innovative surgical care across Alberta. There are seven robotic-assisted surgery systems actively doing surgery in Alberta, while 16,725 robotic-assisted surgeries have been performed in Alberta from 2009 to 2025.

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres and health centres across the province. Our mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.