Saint Mary's Regional Health System is celebrating a significant achievement in rehabilitation care after its Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit earned the highest Performance Evaluation Model score among Lifepoint acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals throughout 2026.
The achievement places Saint Mary's among the top five of 144 eligible Lifepoint-managed rehabilitation units nationwide.
The Performance Evaluation Model is a comprehensive measurement tool used to assess rehabilitation programs across key measures including quality, patient outcomes, operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance and overall program performance.
Saint Mary's Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit provides intensive rehabilitation services for patients recovering from serious illnesses, injuries and other conditions that have affected their ability to function independently. An interdisciplinary team works together to help each patient achieve the highest possible level of function and independence.
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith has expanded its robotic surgery program with the addition of the da Vinci 5 Surgical System, the latest generation of robotic-assisted surgical technology, and recently completed its first patient procedure using the system.
For surgeons, the da Vinci 5 system offers enhanced precision, improved visualization and advanced instrumentation designed to support minimally invasive procedures. Patients may experience benefits such as smaller incisions, less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times compared with traditional open surgery, the hospital said.
Mercy Fort Smith's first procedures using the da Vinci 5 were successfully performed by Dr. Jonathan Ferrari, general and bariatric surgeon. Dr. Ferrari plans to use the technology for hernia repairs, sleeve gastrectomy (bariatric surgery) and select colon procedures. The da Vinci 5 also will be utilized by many surgeons across a variety of specialties, in addition to general surgery.
The platform will expand access to minimally invasive robotic surgery for physicians in gynecology, urology, thoracic surgery and general surgery. Mercy also anticipates using the system for advanced procedures such as ETEP (Extended Totally Extraperitoneal) hernia repairs.
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