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Pioneering Robotic Surgery: Dr. M. Brian Harkins’ Revolutionary Impact on Global Healthcare
The impact of Dr. M. Brian Harkins on global healthcare through his pioneering work in robotic surgery is nothing short of transformative. His dedication to enhancing surgical procedures through technology has revolutionized patient care, minimized surgical complications, and enriched medical education globally. His trailblazing efforts have optimized surgical precision and inspired a new generation of surgeons to embrace innovative approaches. This groundbreaking work has irrevocably altered healthcare delivery and patient recovery times worldwide.
Dr. M. Brian Harkins’ Journey
Dr. M. Brian Harkins stands at the forefront of robotic surgery, not merely through his title as the Medical Director of Robotics for the Gulf Coast division of HCA since 2018 but more so due to his long-standing expertise in the field. A testament to his surgical prowess and innovative approaches, Dr. Harkins has been instrumental in elevating the standards of care in various specialized surgical procedures.
His robotic hernia repair proficiency is one of his practice’s cornerstones, allowing for precise, minimally invasive interventions that offer patients reduced pain and quicker recovery times. Dr. Harkins leverages robotic technology in gallbladder surgery to enhance safety and accuracy, minimizing the risks associated with more traditional surgical methods. Moreover, his expertise extends to colorectal surgery, where robotics has been transformative, improving surgical outcomes and patient experiences through meticulous precision and control.
Dr. Harkins’ commitment to education and mentoring in these specific areas of robotic surgery underscores his dedication to advancing patient care and ensuring that the next generation of surgeons is equipped with the knowledge and skills to utilize these advanced technologies effectively. His ongoing innovation within these specialized surgical fields continues to shape the future of robotic surgery and patient care globally.
Global Outreach and Education
Dr. Harkins has dedicated substantial efforts towards global outreach and education in robotic surgery, with a reach extending from Alaska to Florida and crossing international borders to places like Taiwan and India. His dedication has led to establishing pivotal international partnerships, fostering surgical innovation globally, and notably influencing patient care standards.
Dr. Harkins’ cross-cultural training initiatives are remarkable. They involve imparting advanced skills on the Da Vinci robotic system to surgeons worldwide. This has resulted in an exponential increase in the adoption of this surgical innovation, driving a paradigm shift in international healthcare practices.
Teaching and Mentoring: Cultivating the Next Generation of Surgeons
In addition to his international outreach, Dr. Harkins has made significant strides in cultivating the next generation of surgeons, dedicating considerable effort to teaching and mentoring in robotic surgery. His mentorship program is a guiding light of surgical innovation, offering a detailed overview of advanced surgical techniques and the impact of robotic advancements on patient outcomes.
Dr. Harkins’ teachings focus on the technical aspects of robotic surgery and the strategic setup of successful robotic surgery programs in hospitals. He provides a thorough understanding of the benefits robotic surgery brings to patients, emphasizing its minimally invasive nature, quicker recovery times, and potential for better patient outcomes.
Through his mentorship program, Dr. Harkins guides many experienced and new surgeons to perform their first robotic surgeries safely and effectively. His hands-on approach to sharing knowledge and skills has had a transformative impact on the field.
A Record of Excellence in Robotic Surgery
Demonstrating a remarkable record of excellence in robotic surgery, Dr. Harkins has performed thousands of these advanced procedures since 2015, particularly in acute care. His utilization of advanced technology is a testament to his commitment to surgical innovation.
Dr. Harkins is recognized for his expert precision and indomitable pursuit of medical breakthroughs, which are widely acknowledged in the healthcare industry. His proficiency in this advanced technology is so highly regarded that his operating room has become a training hub for other surgeons. This not only highlights his expertise but also his role in enhancing the surgical skills of his peers.
The impact of Dr. Harkins’ work extends beyond the individual patient level. His adoption and refinement of robotic surgery techniques have a significant healthcare impact, transforming acute care delivery and outcomes. As a result, patients experience fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Looking Ahead: Dr. Harkins’ Vision for the Future of Surgery
As we look towards the future of surgery, Dr. Harkins is a pivotal figure. He persistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible within the domain, thereby influencing global healthcare. His vision for surgical practice is one where innovation synergizes with technology, driving advancements that significantly enhance patient care.
Dr. Harkins envisions a future where technology is seamlessly woven into surgical procedures to reduce errors, enhance precision, and improve recovery times. This technology integration is not merely about using cutting-edge tools but fundamentally reshaping surgical procedures to be safer, more efficient, and less invasive.
His dedication to improving patient outcomes is a critical aspect of his vision. By focusing on integrating technology, he believes that surgeries can be performed with fewer complications, leading to quicker recoveries and better long-term health for patients.
Conclusion
Dr. Harkins’ groundbreaking work in robotic surgery has unquestionably brought about a sea change in global healthcare. His steadfast commitment to augmenting surgical techniques through advanced technology has led to significant enhancements in patient outcomes, reduction in surgical complications, and a notable enrichment in medical education across the globe.
To conclude, Dr. Harkins’ revolutionary approach has set a new gold standard in the field of surgery, impacting lives globally. For any assistance or inquiries regarding Dr. Brian Harkins’ services, do not hesitate to contact his office at 281-351-5409.
VOTE for Dr. Brian Harkins for the Next Living Magazine #BestOf2019
There’s no doubt there are plenty of quality surgeons in the Houston area. But Dr. Brian Harkins has found plenty of ways to not only stand out as a skilled surgeon but also as someone who remains fully focused on making the medical community and his region a better place.
Dr. Harkins is considered one of the top laparoscopic surgeons in the country and has helped thousands of patients for more than 30 years by treating them for a wide variety of diseases and conditions, from cancer to hernias. He also is a pioneer in the area of robotic surgery, which offers health care providers even more tools to help patients and minimize their pain and recovery time.
When filling out your ballot for Living Magazine’s “Best Of” for 2019, consider voting for Dr. Harkins in the “Top Doc” category. Each year, thousands of readers vote in the annual survey of favorite people, places, and things in our community. Sometimes only a few votes end up separating the finalists, so this is why every vote is critical!
Dr. Harkins, an Air Force and Army veteran and father of four, has been living and performing surgery in Texas since 1997. He’s an independent affiliate of the Surgical Advanced Specialty Center since it opened its doors in 2002, and helped design and build its current office in 2003. He’s held multiple leadership roles there over the years and currently is a member of the facility’s board of directors. He’s also the chair of the robotics committee at Tomball Regional Medical Center and a fellow at the American College of Surgeons.
Part of his specialty is robotic surgery, using the innovative da Vinci Xi robotic system, which is a small surgical device that a surgeon controls remotely. The robot can reach areas and perform precise tasks in areas that are sometimes difficult for human surgeons to reach easily. This can lead to better outcomes as well as smaller scars and shorter recovery time
The Tomball location is the first facility in the area with two da Vinci Xi robots. It has also served as an observation site for surgeons around the country wanting to see the da Vinci Xi robotic system in action, and Dr. Harkins also serves as a proctor for other surgeons wanting to train on it.
Dr. Harkins was born in Tennessee and married his high school sweetheart in 1978. They have four children.
His military service first took him to North Dakota where he was a nuclear missile mechanic during the day and studied at night. He later transferred to LSU in Baton Rouge, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine and the Dean’s Award in 1989.
Following graduation, Dr. Harkins began a general surgery residency at Eisenhower Medical Center in Augusta, Geo. There, he was honored with the award of “Outstanding Laparoscopic Resident-Surgeon,” and was commended for a scientific presentation from Georgia’s chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He later received the Outstanding Graduating Resident Award along with the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service for his role as the chief of the Department of Specialty Care at Noble Army Hospital.
After retirement from the military, he moved to Texas in 1997, where he and his family have enjoyed living ever since. He’s been interested in robotic surgery so he found a way to bring it to the Tomball area. He and his staff offer a comfortable and friendly setting, which appeals to patients from around the country.
When he’s not helping pioneer the future of robotics to help health care, Dr. Harkins enjoys spending time with his family, building things and the outdoors.
He’s honored to be listed among the other nominees for Living Magazine’s “Top Docs Showcase,” and appreciates everyone who votes for him.
Casting a vote is as easy as visiting www.livingmagazine.net/. The deadline to submit ballots for 2019 is 12 A.M. March 15.
Robotic Surgery – Colectomies, Inguinal, and Incisional Hernias Following the Path of the Prostate
The Lesson From the Robotic Prostate
In 2003, prostate surgery was an open procedure. Only 1% was done laparoscopically and 4% was done robotically. The interesting thing about that is that in 2003 we were 15 years into the laparoscopic era while only 3 years into the robotic era. Yet, already four times more procedures were being done on the robot than laparoscopically.
Something about this new minimally invasive platform made it work for complicated surgery that couldn’t be duplicated on the mature laparoscopic platform. Many urologists recognized these benefits and a new gold standard emerged.
By 2013 robotic prostatectomy was clearly the new gold standard. Hysterectomies for malignancy have also seen this transition to a new standard. (Premier Data 2003, 2005, and 2013) These procedures represent a recurring history lesson where open surgery predominance was replaced by robotics completely bypassing any sort of laparoscopic phase for the procedure.
In 2013, despite being 25 years into the laparoscopic era, colectomies and incisional hernias both have seen only about a 1/3 penetration of laparoscopy despite proven benefits for patients.
The latest robotic advanced platform, the Da Vinci Xi, shows promise to finally take colectomies, inguinal hernias, and incisional hernias along the path of the prostate to a new gold standard as a robotic surgery!
“Fly” thru the abdominal cavity, please click here
Twenty-Fold Growth in Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repairs
In 2013 the inguinal hernia repairs are done robotically accounted for only about 1% of all an inguinal hernia repairs. Just three years later the robotic approach now accounts for close to 20% of all inguinal hernia repairs.
This phenomenal growth has been fueled almost completely by the surgical community. Hernia thought leaders throughout the surgical community have recognized the increased capabilities of the robotic system allowing a dissection with more precision and less pain. This is in part due to the increased dexterity of the wristed instruments and to the incredible 3-D magnified high-resolution view of the robotic system.
Many studies in this emerging era of robotic hernias are showing improved quality metrics, patient satisfaction, and improved total cost of care and value over other techniques.
Dr. Harkins Shares His Experience with Colleagues
This past October the American College of Surgeons held its annual national conference in Washington DC. Dr. Harkins was honored to have the opportunity to share his experience with his colleagues in a guest lecture event where he chronicled his adoption of the “emerging” standard of laparoscopy in the 1990’s and how that closely parallels his, and the surgical community’s, current adoption of the new emerging standard for robotic surgery.
He continues to provide surgeons across the US with case observations, proctoring and acts as a colon and hernia robotics course instructor on a regular basis. In a separate event, Dr. Harkins will return to Washington DC as a guest instructor for the World Wide Sales Meeting of Intuitive Surgical.
He will lecture on robotic right hemicolectomies and then help the attendees experience the performance of the procedure on an issue model. While he enjoys sharing his experience with his colleagues, Dr. Harkins is most pleased to provide the latest in advanced surgical care available today to the patients of northwest Houston!!!
Dr. Harkins is recognized as a world leader in experience using the Da Vinci Xi system in General Surgery.