St John of God Bendigo Hospital officially unveiled its first Robot Donor Honour Board on 20 February with a special morning tea, paying tribute to the donors and sponsors who helped to raise $2.85 million to purchase a state-of-the-art surgical robot, the da Vinci Xi, and to establish a regional surgical robotics program.
Representatives from contributing organisations were in attendance to mark the occasion, including the Diocese of Sandhurst’s Acting Business Manager, Greg Westbrook and Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) members, Tom Dobeli and Kevin Lane.
At the morning tea, St John of God’s Director of Business Development, Anna Hill, said the event was about gratitude and impact. “We are here to thank our donors and sponsors for making the regional robotics program possible,” she said. “Already, 187 patients, including many public patients, have received surgery with the da Vinci Xi.”
Anna explained that this meant less invasive surgery, faster recovery and better health outcomes for people in the region who might otherwise have to travel to Melbourne for procedures, or undergo more invasive surgery methods.
Michael Hogan, St John of God Bendigo Hospital’s CEO, said the Robot Donor Honour Board is about more than a permanent tribute to donors and sponsors. “It’s a symbol of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose,” he explained.
Knights of the Southern Cross Bendigo Branch Chair, Kevin Lane, agreed with this sentiment. “The Knights are proud to support our local community, and we are thrilled to learn that so many people have already been assisted through St John of God, Bendigo’s surgical Robot Program.” The Knights donated $1000 towards the surgical robot campaign.
The Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst donated $10,000 which, Greg Westbrook says, is an investment in the local community. “We see this as a tangible way of putting our Catholic faith into action. Caring for the sick and injured has always been core to Christianity, and it is an important part of our mission,” said Greg.
“St John of God Bendigo is a well-respected institution. If we have the means to help enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide compassionate healthcare aligned with Catholic Social Teaching in our Diocese, then why wouldn’t we? The beneficiaries, after all, are the people in our own communities.
Readers will be pleased to know that the da Vinci Xi was blessed by Archbishop Shane Mackinlay in February last year.
Image above right: Greg Westbrook, Acting Business Manager, Diocese of Sandhurst with Anna Hill, Director of Business Development, St John of God, in front of the Honour Board.
Image above: KSC District Chair Tom Dobeli and KSC Bendigo Branch Chair Kevin Lane with Anna Hill from SJOG Hospital.