Mercy general surgeon marks robotic surgery milestone

Sajida Ahad,
MD

Mercy Medical Center is pleased to share that General Surgeon Sajida Ahad, MD, FACS, has successfully completed her 1,000th surgery utilizing the state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic surgical system.

This significant achievement underscores Dr. Ahad’s dedication to advancing surgical care and her commitment to patient-centered outcomes.

A board-certified general surgeon with fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, Dr. Ahad has been an integral part of Mercy’s medical team since 2014. She specializes in general and bariatric surgeries, as well as gastrointestinal cancers.

The da Vinci® Surgical System represents a significant advancement in minimally invasive surgery by allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision and control. The system’s robotic arms provide a greater range of motion than the human hand, and its 3D, high-definition vision system offers a magnified view of the surgical area. These features contribute to improved clinical outcomes, including reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and decreased postoperative discomfort.

“Reaching the 1,000th robotic surgery mark is a testament to Mercy’s commitment to integrating advanced technology into patient care,” Dr. Ahad said. “The da Vinci system has revolutionized the way we approach surgery, enabling us to perform complex procedures with greater accuracy and improved recovery times for our patients.”

As the director of Mercy’s bariatric surgery program, Dr. Ahad is among the few surgeons in the United States who are board-certified in both obesity medicine and bariatric surgery. This unique combination allows her to offer patients a holistic, multifaceted approach to the treatment of obesity.

Mercy remains committed to providing cutting-edge surgical options to the Cedar Rapids community. Dr. Ahad’s accomplishment highlights the hospital’s dedication to excellence in patient care through the adoption of innovative technologies.