Oak Valley Hospital District keeps forging new paths forward to make Oak Valley a medical center which honors the needs of the community while also introducing new services that combine innovative technology with compassionate care. Recently, OVHD introduced the da Vinci 5 (dv5) robotic surgery system and demonstrated why the dv5 is so important to surgical efficiency and performance.
This robotic technology has been around for a while with the dv5 being the latest iteration, and it represents the most advanced robotic surgical technology available.
“We’ve had a few surgeries with the dv5 and the outcomes have been really good,” said Matt Heyn, CEO, Oak Valley Hospital District. The hospital is at 350 S. Oak Ave., Oakdale.
From robotic assisted Orthopedic Surgeries to a myriad of other specialties, the dv5 allows surgeons to operate with greater precision while also providing real time insights to allow the surgeons to make complex decisions that allow for improved outcomes for the patients including faster healing, less pain and smaller scars.
Dr. Jihan Hegazy, Board Certified General Surgeon, routinely performs surgery at OVHD using the da Vinci Robotic Surgery System and is looking forward to utilizing the dv5 for many years to come. Hegazy, like many surgeons, appreciates the enhanced sense of touch the dv5 provides during the surgery because it allows the physicians to detect tissue resistance and sensitivity, while also being minimally invasive, resulting in less trauma to the patient.
While OVHD is introducing new technology and enhanced care through the new systems such as the dv5, they are also focusing on areas including the Intensive Care Unit, which has been closed for more than a year. Without a critical care unit, many community members have expressed concern as to what could happen should they have a medical emergency that required additional specialized care, with the most recent outcomes being that patients were transferred to other hospitals in Modesto that do have intensive care units, resulting in them having to travel farther to receive critical care. Heyn and his team have responded to these concerns and have worked diligently to ensure that critical care is restored once again.
“We closed the ICU, gutted the unit and renovated the entire unit. The new ICU includes five patient rooms and will officially re-open once the California Department of Public Health performs an inspection and gives us the okay to re-open,” said Heyn, noting that the inspection will probably occur within the next couple of months so hopefully critical care services within the ICU will resume in the near future.
Heyn also provided updates on a couple of other items related to the future of OVHD, including the new modular which will house the EMS Providers as their former quarters were lost to fire last year.
“We’re excited to get the new modular up and ready for our EMS Staff,” said Heyn.
One of the other projects that Heyn is excited about is the acquisition of the Rite Aid Building at 1300 W. F St., Oakdale, which will be the future Center for Health Improvement. The Center will provide urgent care services along with additional meeting spaces for the community. Training courses will be offered at the Center for Health Improvement as well. Some of the courses that will be offered include, but are not limited to, Diabetic Education, First Aid/CPR/AED Courses, Safe Sitters and more. Heyn and his team are hoping to have the Center for Health Improvement fully operational by the fall of 2026.
For more information about any of these items, visit: Welcome - Oak Valley Hospital or call 209-847-3011.
