Join our mission to bring world-class care to local patients
A Transformative Step for Our Community
Adventist Health and Rideout will soon add the da Vinci 5 surgical robotic system to our operating rooms. This significant step forward is possible thanks to the largest philanthropic commitment to a single project in the history of the Adventist Health Rideout Foundation. Our first surgery cases using the robot are scheduled for November 2025.
Bringing robotic surgery to Rideout is about one thing: improving the lives of people in Yuba-Sutter.
The Rideout Foundation board committed to this project because this tool means faster recoveries, less pain, and fewer complications for patients. At the same time, this investment helps Adventist Health and Rideout recruit and retain highly skilled surgeons who expect to work with tools that match what they used in their training.
The da Vinci 5 surgical robot is integral to our community having access to high quality care close to home.
I wanted to bring robotic surgery to Rideout because I want the very best outcomes for my patients. Knowing we will no longer have to refer our most medically vulnerable patients to distant hospitals is a blessing for me as a provider and for this community.
– Arturo Garcia, MD, FACS, Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Why Robotic Surgery?
Robotic surgery has fundamentally changed how surgeons approach complex procedures. The technology gives doctors more precision, flexibility and control than traditional techniques and is often performed through tiny incisions – less than 2 cm with the da Vinci 5 robot – which translates into fewer complications, less pain and blood loss, shorter hospital stays and smaller scars.
The da Vinci 5 was released in 2024 and takes robotic surgery to the next level. Its more powerful computing platform, 150+ design innovations and real‑time force-feedback technology give surgeons sharper 3D vision and greater tactile awareness. Those upgrades are designed not only to make procedures more precise but also to reduce tissue damage and speed patients’ recovery – a step forward that can make world-class, minimally invasive care a reality in Yuba-Sutter.
How Patients Benefit
Robotic‑assisted surgery isn’t about replacing surgeons; it’s about equipping them with tools that allow safer, less invasive procedures. Compared with open surgery or even earlier robotic systems, patients undergoing procedures with the da Vinci 5 can expect:
- Smaller incisions and less tissue trauma
- Reduced blood loss and lower risk of infection
- Less pain and scarring
- Shorter hospital stays and faster recovery
The Adventist Health Rideout Foundation is dedicated to the well-being of this community. Bringing robotic surgery to Rideout is the clearest way to build on the current surgery strength. We hope everyone is inspired by this commitment to join us in giving to support this and other worthy projects.
– Heather Pena, Adventist Health Rideout Foundation board chair
Benefits for Our Hospital and Community
A new robotic system does more than improve individual procedures; it strengthens our entire surgical program.
- Recruiting and retaining top surgical talent: Surgeons trained in leading programs expect to work with advanced robotic systems. Having the da Vinci 5 in Yuba-Sutter positions Rideout as a destination for skilled physicians who want to serve our community.
- Expanding surgical capabilities: Robotic systems can be used across many specialties, including bariatric, colorectal, urology, gynecology, cardiothoracic, and general surgeries. Having a surgical robot paired with an Intensive Care Unit means we can treat the most medically vulnerable patients in our community.
- Improved training and retention: The da Vinci 5 records surgeon movements and provides dynamic feedback for training, helping surgeons refine their skills. For a community hospital like ours, this means we can train new surgeons faster and keep them on the leading edge of care.
- Modernized operating rooms: In preparation for the robot, Adventist Health and Rideout has been renovating three operating rooms – upgrading lighting, ventilation, and electrical systems – to create a state-of-the-art surgical environment. These upgrades benefit every patient, regardless of whether they undergo robotic surgery.
Your Role: Help Us Complete the Vision
Bringing the da Vinci 5 to Yuba-Sutter is a massive undertaking. Adventist Health Rideout Foundation’s board authorized the largest philanthropic commitment to a single project in our history to secure the system. This gift covered the cost of the robot. Yet we intentionally left room for our wider community to be part of the story.
The overall project cost is $3.5 million. Our board has already committed most of that amount, and we’re seeking $1 million in new gifts so the community can be part of this historic milestone. This funding will allow us to:
- Ensure the daVinci 5 program is fully resourced in its first years
- Complete the final phase of operating‑room upgrades
- Invest in other critical patient-care projects as our community grows
We hope that knowing the da Vinci surgical robot is coming to Rideout will inspire you to join us by giving to this project. The support of the community is a sign of your commitment to ensuring this community has access to high-quality care. All contributions matter.
Investing in a robotic surgery program is about more than cutting‑edge technology; it is about compassion, dignity, and hope for every patient who walks through our doors. By bringing the da Vinci 5 to Adventist Health and Rideout, we’re committing to a future in which local patients receive world-class care. We invite you to join us in this mission.
Join Us in Our Mission!
Ways to Make a Difference
- Make a gift: Contribute securely online or learn about donation options.
- Contact us: Call the Adventist Health Rideout Foundation at 530-751‑4070 or email us to discuss ways to give, including tax‑smart strategies or estate gifts.
- Spread the word: Share this story with friends, family, and colleagues. The more people who understand how transformative this technology is, the faster we’ll reach our goal.
- Ask questions: We’re here to answer your questions, whether you’re curious about how the robot works, how your gift will be used, or how to include the foundation in your planned giving.
Investing in the da Vinci surgical system reflects our commitment to advancing healthcare in our community. It will not only raise the standard of care available to local patients but also help attract top medical talent who are eager to serve and grow with our community.
– Derek Sandgren, Adventist Health Rideout Foundation board member
Elated, proud, honored, optimistic — these are all words that come to mind knowing that da Vinci robotic surgery is coming to our acute care setting! Adventist Health and Rideout has achieved and maintained a high bar for surgical outcomes — we have the clinical talent in place to provide excellent care. All of these enhancements contribute to an improved surgical outcome, with the patient at the center.
– Amanda Ellis, MHA, BSN, RN, CNOR, Director of Perioperative Services, Adventist Health and Rideout