Dr. Ben Taylor Achieves Historic Milestone 500 Robotic Thoracic Surgeries Performed

Saint Alphonsus minimally invasive and robotically trained thoracic Surgeon Dr. Ben Taylor has been instrumental in expanding innovative robotic thoracic surgery options and making life-changing results available locally. Dr. Taylor has performed his 500th robotic thoracic surgery, making Dr. Taylor the first thoracic surgeon in Idaho to reach this milestone. He is one of a few robotically trained thoracic surgeons in the U.S. using this approach.

Dr. Ben Taylor is fellowship-trained in thoracic surgery with certifications in cardiac and thoracic surgery. Cardiothoracic surgery includes any operation in the chest (thorax). This includes primarily the heart and lungs, but may also include esophagus, trachea, diaphragm, chest wall, and mediastinum (area between the lungs). Dr. Taylor utilizes the minimally invasive surgical approach to significantly reduce a patient’s length of hospital stay as well as the likelihood of infection or complications. “Robotic surgery has many benefits for patients,” said Dr. Ben Taylor. “Faster recovery time and return to normal activities, shorter hospital stays, less scarring and overall better option for patients.”

Robotic surgical technology improves the surgeon’s ability to see with three-dimensional, high-definition cameras, and three working arms to perform delicate procedures. The surgeon can operate with greater precision and accuracy over laparoscopic or open surgical techniques.

Saint Alphonsus recently added a second surgical robot, reflecting Saint Alphonsus’ commitment to the highest quality and most advanced surgical care for our patients. Our surgical teams are experts in minimally invasive and robotic surgery and in subspecialty disciplines as General Surgery, Esophageal Health and Reflux, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Surgical Oncology.

The Cardiovascular program at Saint Alphonsus maintains exceptional standards in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa have received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023. In addition, the American College of Cardiology has recognized Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (SARMC) for its demonstrated expertise in treating patients with chest pain. SARMC is the only one in the state of Idaho to be awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Resuscitation.

Also, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise is the first hospital in Idaho to be designated by the State of Idaho’s Time Sensitive Emergency Statewide Council (TSE) as a level I+ STEMI Center. SARMC meets all the criteria set by the State of Idaho to care for the most critical heart attack patients who experience cardiogenic shock and heart failure.

Learn more about the Saint Alphonsus Heart Program.