A grateful patient’s journey with the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgery at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
Philanthropic support is helping bring advanced robotic surgery closer to home, giving patients like Byron Roselli more time for the moments that matter most.
When Byron Roselli, a Vancouver, Washington resident, learned he had cancer in both lungs, he and his family braced for another long recovery.
At 78, Byron had already overcome more than most. He had survived six heart attacks, undergone seven stent procedures and recovered from quintuple bypass surgery. He remembered the lengthy hospital stay that followed and the slow return to daily life. Faced with another major surgery, he expected a similar journey.
Instead, he found himself back home within days.
Byron benefited from a da Vinci robotic surgery technology when thoracic surgeon Dr. Svetlana Kotova used the system to remove cancer from both of his lungs through a minimally invasive approach.
The difference was remarkable. Rather than spending weeks recovering, Byron healed quickly and was soon back to spending time with family, enjoying everyday routines and returning to the golf course he loves.
"I didn't just have surgery to survive," Byron said. "I had surgery to continue on with the people that mean so much to me. Thank you to the medical team for giving me more rounds to play and more sunsets to see with my family."
Innovation Powered by Community
Byron's story is a powerful example of what becomes possible when compassionate care, clinical expertise and philanthropy come together.
In February 2025, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center introduced the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system, made possible through the generosity of donors committed to advancing care in Southwest Washington. The da Vinci 5 is the latest advancement and gives surgeons enhanced visualization, greater precision and tactile feedback that help guide delicate movements during complex procedures. For patients, those advances can mean less pain, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to daily life.
This technology is also changing how surgical teams collaborate. During one of the first procedures performed with the new system, Dr. Kotova was able to share the surgical view with another surgeon in real time, allowing for immediate consultation during the operation.
"The biggest advantage was the ability to invite another surgeon to see the case in real time," Dr. Kotova said. "This ability to have peer collaboration in the moment is incredibly beneficial."
At PeaceHealth, technology investments ensure physicians and caregivers provide the best possible care for the people they serve.
The da Vinci 5 represents a $3 million investment in the future of surgical care, powered by the generosity of donors who believe everyone deserves access to extraordinary care close to home.
For Byron, the return on that investment can't be measured only in dollars or technology. It's found in ordinary moments that feel extraordinary: time with family, the joy of a well-played hole, laughter with friends and the chance to look ahead with hope.
His story is a reminder that philanthropy does more than fund equipment. It helps create healthier tomorrows, ensuring more patients can receive extraordinary care when they need it most.
About PeaceHealth Foundations: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Since 1890, PeaceHealth has been guided by a Mission of healing and compassion. Today, PeaceHealth Foundations carry forward that legacy — powered by philanthropy and grounded in community. As the philanthropic partner to PeaceHealth’s nine medical centers and more than 160 clinics, we help expand access, advance technology and empower caregivers to provide exceptional and compassionate care. Every gift ensures that outstanding care continues to reach families, friends and neighbors throughout the Northwest. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Discover the impact of philanthropy at peacehealth.org/foundation.
