McAllen — South Texas Health System (STHS) McAllen is expanding its robotic surgery capacity this fall with the addition of a second da Vinci® 5 robotic surgical system and has opened a community naming contest for elementary school-aged children.
Robotic expansion aimed at more minimally invasive procedures
The hospital — designated a Level I Trauma Center and a Comprehensive Stroke Center — says the new system will help meet increasing local demand for minimally invasive surgical options. The first da Vinci 5 system at STHS McAllen was introduced in March 2025 and, according to the hospital, has supported nearly 900 robotic-assisted procedures since that time.
STHS highlights the latest generation da Vinci 5 for improved surgical precision and efficiency. One of the platform’s notable technical advancements is Force Feedback technology, which provides real-time sensory feedback at the instrument tip and allows surgeons to apply up to 43% less force on tissue compared with previous systems.
“Every advancement in robotic surgery ultimately comes down to improving the patient experience,” said Miguel Rodriguez, DO, a general, bariatric and robotic surgeon with STHS Clinics.
Community naming contest for schoolchildren
STHS McAllen is inviting elementary school-aged children to submit name suggestions for the new robotic system now through Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. The hospital's first system was named ChRIS — an acronym for Comprehensive Robotic Intelligence Surgeon — after a previous community contest.
- Who can submit: elementary school-aged children
- Deadline: Sept. 11, 2026
- Purpose: name the hospital’s second da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system
Local context and patient impact
Hospital officials emphasize that advances in robotic-assisted surgery translate into clinical benefits for patients, including smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries. For McAllen residents, the additional system is intended to expand access to those minimally invasive options, potentially shortening wait times for procedures that are suitable for robotic assistance.
STHS McAllen’s emphasis on expanding surgical robotics comes as part of broader efforts to offer advanced care locally. The hospital’s Level I trauma and stroke designations indicate a high level of emergency and specialized care availability, meaning patients in the Rio Grande Valley can access complex services without traveling to distant metropolitan centers.
What the community should know
Parents and guardians of eligible children who want to enter the contest should check with STHS McAllen for submission guidelines, which the hospital will provide. The contest continues a recent pattern of community engagement by the health system: naming the first robot through a local contest made the device a familiar presence in the public conversation about surgical care.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| First da Vinci 5 introduced | March 2025 |
| Robotic-assisted procedures supported by first system | Nearly 900 |
| New system added | Fall 2026 |
| Naming contest deadline | Sept. 11, 2026 |
As the hospital integrates the second system into surgical schedules, residents who are considering surgeries that may be performed robotically should consult with their surgeons and STHS McAllen for information on availability and suitability. The expansion reflects a continuing shift in surgical practice toward technology that supports minimally invasive approaches and aims to improve patient recovery experiences in McAllen and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley.
