Phoebe Putney Health System Adds Robotic Surgery Program in Albany

Phoebe Putney Health System introduced a new robotic-assisted surgery program at its Albany campus this month, giving southwest Georgia patients access to minimally invasive procedures for hernia repair, gallbladder removal, and select colorectal surgeries without traveling to Atlanta.

The program uses a surgical robotics platform that allows surgeons to perform procedures through smaller incisions with greater precision than traditional laparoscopic techniques, typically resulting in shorter hospital stays and faster patient recovery times. Phoebe Putney trained six surgeons on the new system ahead of the program's launch.

"Patients in southwest Georgia have historically had to drive close to three hours to access this kind of surgical technology," said Phoebe Putney's Chief of Surgery. "Bringing it to Albany means patients recover closer to their families and their own support systems instead of in an unfamiliar city."

Phoebe Putney says the program launched with capacity for roughly 12 robotic procedures per week, with plans to expand as more surgeons complete training on the platform. Hospital officials note that rural southwest Georgia has historically lagged Metro Atlanta in access to advanced surgical technology, a gap the health system says it is actively working to close.

The health system is also evaluating expanding the robotic program to include select urological and gynecological procedures within the next two years.