WVU Medicine Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers celebrate 4,000 robotic surgery milestone 

Advanced technology brings minimally invasive surgical care closer to home for Eastern Panhandle residents 

May 19, 2026

 Martinsburg, W.Va. and Ranson, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center are celebrating a major milestone in advanced surgical care: a combined 4,000 da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical procedures performed across both hospitals. 

Berkeley Medical Center launched its da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery program in November 2019 and expanded it in 2026 with the addition of a fourth da Vinci system. Jefferson Medical Center introduced its program in April 2024, quickly becoming an integral part of the region’s surgical services. 

Together, these programs are bringing leading-edge surgical technology closer to home for residents of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. 

“These 4,000 procedures represent not just a number, but thousands of patients who were able to receive advanced surgical care close to home,” said Dr. Jason Turner, division chief, General Surgery, WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. “Robotic-assisted surgery can offer several benefits, including smaller incisions, reduced pain, less blood loss, and quicker recovery times.” 

The da Vinci 5 Surgical System, developed by Intuitive Surgical, combines cutting-edge technology with the expertise of specially trained surgeons to deliver high-quality surgical care across the region. 

The technology provides high-definition, three-dimensional visualization and magnification. Using specialized instruments, including a miniaturized surgical camera, surgeons can perform complex procedures through small incisions. 

“It’s important for patients to understand that the da Vinci system cannot act on its own,” said Dr. Jan Kletter, General Surgery, vice president of medical affairs, Jefferson Medical Center. “Surgery is performed entirely by the surgeon, who remains 100 percent in control of the system throughout the procedure.” 

Robotic-assisted surgery is used across a wide range of procedures at Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers, including: 

  • Colorectal and bariatric procedures
  • Hernia repair
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Kidney and bladder procedures
  • Gynecologic surgery
  • Other advanced laparoscopic procedures 

To learn more about surgical options, visit General Surgery | WVU Medicine