South Texas Health System Edinburg Highlights Advanced Technology Used in the Hospital Setting for Valley Elementary and High School Students During Robotics Day and Healthcare Career Fair

Throughout the United States, the healthcare industry employs more than 16 million people, per the Bureau of Health Workforce, making it the largest employment sector in the nation. Overall, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033.
So, to help meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of healthcare workers by helping raise awareness of the numerous career opportunities available in the hospital setting. The goal: to help local students realize that unlocking their professional potential and contributing to the health and well-being of their communities doesn’t necessarily require them to leave the region for work.
As part of these efforts, South Texas Health System Edinburg hosted a Robotics Day and Healthcare Careers Fair for elementary, middle and high school students across the Rio Grande Valley on Friday, September 27, including nearly 80 fourth and fifth graders from Cavazos Elementary, Mission C.I.S.D.’s health science academy, and about 40 students from Lyford High School’s robotics program. The special event featured a traveling version of the da Vinci 5™ Robotic Surgical System, a robotic-assisted surgery system like the two used at STHS Edinburg to perform minimally invasive procedures.
Consisting of robotic arms that can be equipped with surgical instruments, a surgical console operated by the surgeon and a high-definition vision system that provides a magnified 3D view of the surgical site and helps surgeons operate with precision, flexibility and wider range of motion and control, the da Vinci® robotic surgical system replicates the surgeon's hand movements real time in laparoscopic instruments.
Over the last 25 years, robotic surgery has been used globally to perform a variety of surgeries, including hernia repairs, colorectal surgeries, hysterectomies and bariatric surgery. Robotic surgery is distinct from traditional surgery as it combines robotic precision with a human surgeons’ expertise.
Robotic Surgery at STHS
To learn more about the robotic surgery program at STHS Edinburg, visit our service page.
The advancement of robotic surgery has opened new horizons in medicine and is part of groundbreaking, technological advancements that have redefined the landscape of surgical procedures. Beyond robotic surgery, technological advancements have helped improve the delivery of healthcare to patients, including faster diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
During the event, students had the opportunity to learn about robotic surgery and the technology used in a hospital setting and take part in interactive demonstrations with Intuitive’s traveling da Vinci V Robotic System, so students can test the robotic surgical system for themselves while learning how it helps patients heal. Additionally, they had an opportunity to witness a procedure in the facility’s Cardiac Cath Lab, interact with South Texas Health System’s Healthcare Technology Management team to learn about the nearly 18,000 pieces of medical equipment they manage, learn how clot-busting therapy is used on stroke patients and see the advanced equipment used to help patients regain their independence in the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation gym. Additionally, they had the chance to learn about careers in healthcare.
“Technology like the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system has truly changed the game when it comes to improving patient outcomes,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing and Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “Today, children have become computer experts a very young age because of the technological boom, with elementary students having classes on computers and tablets. So, it’s important for them to see how technology is used in healthcare while exposing them to careers in the hospital setting to inspire the next generation of healthcare providers who will be prepared to thrive in today’s technologically advanced society!”