Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — April 8, 2026 — Kootenai Health has become the first hospital in the region to introduce the da Vinci 5 surgical system, Intuitive Surgical’s most advanced robotic platform, marking a major milestone in the organization’s commitment to minimally invasive care and surgical innovation. This investment aligns with Kootenai Health’s designation as a Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence from the Surgical Review Corporation.
Kootenai Health unveiled its third da Vinci robot during a special unboxing event and open house on April 7, welcoming physicians, board members, donors, employees, and community leaders to view the technology firsthand.
“The new robot minimizes a lot of the complications that come from really complex surgeries,” said urologist Roxanne Haslam, M.D., of North Idaho Urology who uses the surgical robot at Kootenai Health. “It makes a safer experience for patients and reduces hospitalization and recovery time.”
“A lot of people think they need to go to a major city to have the newest medical techniques and advancements,” said surgeon Cory Richardson, M.D., of North Idaho Endoscopy and Surgical Specialists. “Here locally, we have top-notch, highly trained surgeons utilizing the newest equipment out there.”
The da Vinci 5 is designed to enhance surgical precision and efficiency through improvements in visualization, computing power, ergonomics, and force-sensing technology, allowing surgeons to better sense interactions with tissue during procedures. These advances support minimally invasive approaches that may lead to shorter hospital stays, less pain, and quicker recovery times for patients.
Kootenai Health has a strong history of utilizing robotic-assisted surgery across multiple specialties and continues to expand access to advanced surgical options for North Idaho patients.
