Surgery Center of Wasilla Reports Growth in Robotic-Assisted Surgery Program

Surgeons bring more than 1,500 combined robotic procedures of experience to a range of outpatient surgeries

WASILLA, Alaska – Surgery Center of Wasilla (SCOW), a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center providing outpatient care, today announced continued growth in its robotic-assisted surgery program since launching the technology in October 2025. The program enables minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision, 3D visualization, and advanced imaging—helping improve safety and bring complex surgeries closer to home.

The technology features small, flexible instruments that replicate a surgeon’s natural hand movements, allowing for greater precision and control through tiny incisions. The system also includes a high-definition 3D camera that enhances depth perception and visualization during surgery, supporting greater accuracy in complex procedures. For patients, this approach is associated with less pain, reduced scarring, faster recovery times, and a quicker return to daily activities.

“Surgeons can operate with much greater precision, which means patients typically have less bleeding, bruising, and swelling afterward, as well as a more comfortable recovery period,” said Dr. David Morrow, a general surgeon at Mat-Su Surgical Associates and former U.S. Air Force surgeon who served at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson from 2016 to 2020. “It also allows us to safely offer more complex, higher-acuity procedures here in Wasilla, so patients don’t have to travel up to 1.5 hours by car for advanced surgical care. If I personally needed a hernia repair, I would only want it done this way. It’s simply a better, cleaner way to perform surgery that can mean less pain and fewer complications.”

Since launching robotic-assisted surgery in October 2025, SCOW has expanded its use across a range of procedures, including hernia repairs, gallbladder surgery, and hysterectomies. The technology’s versatility also positions SCOW to extend robotic-assisted capabilities into additional specialties and procedures over time, further expanding access to advanced minimally invasive care for patients across the region.

For patients like Donna, who underwent a hernia repair at SCOW in March 2026 using the robotic system, the results compared to her previous surgery were immediately noticeable. “The recovery was so much better and quicker,” said Donna, who has over 20 years of nursing experience and lives an active outdoor life. “I’m an avid hiker, and before this procedure I would often notice increased bulging and discomfort whenever I pushed myself, especially on longer hikes. This has completely changed for me. Within about 30 days, I was back to hiking up to 3,000 feet with no pain at all.”

“The clarity of the robotic camera is unmatched,” added Dr. Garth LeCheminant, a general surgeon at Mat-Su Surgical Associates and one of Alaska’s earliest adopters of robotic surgery in 2009. “In hernia repairs, the instruments move like our own hands and wrists, which allows for very precise dissection and mesh placement through small incisions. It enables us to perform the same repair we would in an open procedure, but in a minimally invasive way.”

Together, Dr. Morrow and Dr. LeCheminant have performed more than 1,500 procedures, reflecting their combined experience with the platform across a wide range of minimally invasive cases.

For more information about robotic surgery options at Surgery Center of Wasilla, please contact the center at 907-631-3578.

About Surgery Center of Wasilla

Since 2012, Surgery Center of Wasilla (SCOW) has been a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center providing advanced outpatient surgical care in Wasilla, Alaska. The center offers a range of minimally invasive procedures supported by modern surgical technology and a team of experienced physicians committed to high-quality, patient-centered care. SCOW is owned and operated by Regent Surgical, a leading ambulatory surgery center management company focused on expanding access to high-quality outpatient surgical care.

SCOW is focused on expanding access to advanced surgical services in a convenient outpatient setting, allowing patients to receive care closer to home while supporting improved recovery and outcomes.

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