Third da Vinci System Comes to HSHS St. Elizabeth's
June 11, 2026
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital has recently installed a third robotic-assisted surgical system, the da Vinci® 5, to continue to enhance the surgical offerings and access to patients in the Metro East region. The minimally invasive robotic surgical system, funded fully by HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation, can be used across a spectrum of procedures for gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery.
Dr. Scott Crouch, a general surgeon on staff at St. Elizabeth’s, recently performed the first surgery with the new da Vinci 5 robotic system. “With three da Vinci systems, we are able to expand access to robotic-assisted surgery for patients across the region,” said Crouch. “This additional capacity helps reduce scheduling delays, provides more flexibility for patients and surgeons, and ensures emergency procedures can be handled with less impact on planned surgeries.”
With robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon operates with enhanced vision and precision and is in 100% control at all times. The robot translates the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, precise movements of tiny instruments inside the body. With smaller incisions, there is less scarring and trauma to tissue, leading to a faster recovery.
Patients benefit from the use of the da Vinci surgical systems in the following ways:
St. Elizabeth’s continues to support the expansion of access to surgical services for the community of Southwestern Illinois. In 2025, construction began on the northeast side of the hospital’s campus for a new outpatient surgical treatment center and medical office. This new outpatient surgery center will include four operating rooms and two procedure rooms, along with post-acute rooms and prep and recovery stations. operating rooms and two procedure rooms, along with post-acute rooms and prep and recovery stations. The medical office will feature space for physical specialty clinics and new providers to serve patients on St. Elizabeth’s campus as well as diagnostic imaging services. In total, HSHS is investing approximately $50 million to fund the project, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027.
Photo Caption: Dr. Crouch (right), general surgeon with HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, performed the first robotic-assisted surgery with the hospital’s third da Vinci surgical system, the da Vinci® 5.
Dr. Scott Crouch, a general surgeon on staff at St. Elizabeth’s, recently performed the first surgery with the new da Vinci 5 robotic system. “With three da Vinci systems, we are able to expand access to robotic-assisted surgery for patients across the region,” said Crouch. “This additional capacity helps reduce scheduling delays, provides more flexibility for patients and surgeons, and ensures emergency procedures can be handled with less impact on planned surgeries.”
With robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon operates with enhanced vision and precision and is in 100% control at all times. The robot translates the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, precise movements of tiny instruments inside the body. With smaller incisions, there is less scarring and trauma to tissue, leading to a faster recovery.
Patients benefit from the use of the da Vinci surgical systems in the following ways:
- Surgery is minimally invasive, with reduced scarring
- Shorter hospital stays
- Quicker recovery
- Less pain medication is required
St. Elizabeth’s continues to support the expansion of access to surgical services for the community of Southwestern Illinois. In 2025, construction began on the northeast side of the hospital’s campus for a new outpatient surgical treatment center and medical office. This new outpatient surgery center will include four operating rooms and two procedure rooms, along with post-acute rooms and prep and recovery stations. operating rooms and two procedure rooms, along with post-acute rooms and prep and recovery stations. The medical office will feature space for physical specialty clinics and new providers to serve patients on St. Elizabeth’s campus as well as diagnostic imaging services. In total, HSHS is investing approximately $50 million to fund the project, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027.
Photo Caption: Dr. Crouch (right), general surgeon with HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, performed the first robotic-assisted surgery with the hospital’s third da Vinci surgical system, the da Vinci® 5.
Media Contact
Kelly Barbeau
System Director, Communications & Public Relations