St. John First In State To Perform Unique Robotic Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
The state’s first successful robotic, totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery was performed at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. During this unique operation, four tiny pencil sized holes are made between the ribs. Through these holes, surgeons guide two robotic arms equipped with a tiny camera and gain access to the heart, making surgery possible without opening the chest. 

Providence Opens Area's First Joslin Diabetes Center
Providence Hospital in Southfield and St. John Providence Park Hospital in Novi are the first hospitals in southeast Michigan to open Joslin Diabetes Centers.

St. John Health Enhances Cancer and Cardiac Care with Roving PET/CT Scan
A medical device on wheels is helping St. John Health doctors better diagnose and treat cancer and heart disease.  St. John Health is one of the first health systems in the state to offer a mobile PET/CT scanner. PET/CT is one of the most advanced diagnostic technologies available. 

Providence Tests a Potential Link to Finding Blocked Heart Arteries
A blood test in combination with a stress test can help better determine if someone is likely to have a blocked heart artery, according to a study by doctors at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich. The study was presented today at the 2005 American College of Cardiology's Scientific Session in Orlando. It was one of the first studies of its kind.

Providence is First in U.S. to Treat Patients for Aneurysm Coil Study  
Neurosurgeons at Providence Hospital are the first in the United States to treat patients as part of a study to determine whether a specially designed coil can prevent recurrent brain aneurysms.  Two patients were treated at Providence, which is one of only 15 centers nationwide taking part in the study.

SJH&MC is First to Offer Rectal Tumor Procedure
SJH&NC recently became the first hospital in southeast Michigan to offer a new minimally invasive procedure for removing rectal tumors.

Providence Surgeons Perform Area's First Brain Stent Procedure
Providence Hospital is the first in southeast Michigan to treat patients using the only FDA approved brain stent. The tiny wire mesh device is designed to prevent stroke in high-risk patients with hardened arteries in the brain.

St. John Health Enhances Care with Internet Based Wireless Heart Device
Doctors at Providence Hospital and St. John Hospital and Medical Center, members of St. John Health, are among the first in Michigan to implant a wireless defibrillator that makes it possible for heart failure patients to be monitored from their homes.

St. John Macomb Hospital First in Michigan to Use New Device to Confirm Success of Heart Surgery
Heart surgeons at St. John Macomb Hospital are the first in the state to utilize an innovative technology that helps to ensure the success of coronary bypass surgery before the patient leaves the operating room.

Robotic System Increases Cardiac, Urology Surgery Options
St. John Hospital and Medical Center (SJH&MC) added another key technology to the St. John Minimally Invasive Surgery Center recently when surgeons used the hospital's new robotic surgical system for the first time.

Providence Hospital Leading the Way in Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery  
Surgeons at Providence Hospital are helping to pioneer a minimally invasive surgery for liver tumors that requires only tiny incisions.  Providence was one of the first hospitals in the Midwest to perform the operation.

Providence First in Region to Test New Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion Device   
A device that could dramatically change the way surgeons perform spinal fusion surgery for a common back condition is being studied at Providence Hospital.