North Okaloosa Medical Center Surgeon Reaches Milestone 1,000th Robotic Surgery
5/24/2021
CRESTVIEW, FL, 05/24/21 - Equipped with some of the latest, most advanced systems and technologies to-date, the department of surgery at North Okaloosa Medical Center is once again celebrating a significant milestone as Dr. Daran J. Mason performed his 1,000th robotic-assisted procedure inside an NOMC surgical suite.
Providing immersive 3D, high-definition visuals with incredible magnification abilities, robotic-assisted options take minimally invasive surgery to the highest level. Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery typically include patients having reduced surgical complications, decreased blood loss, less postoperative pain, fewer and smaller scars, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery time compared with those who undergo traditional open surgery.
"North Okaloosa Medical Center has remained committed to being a leader in robotic-assisted surgery in our area, and today we are celebrating a milestone," said Joey Hester, interim CEO at NOMC. "The robot allows us to do big surgeries within a really small space. So operations that usually would have needed a large incision and weeks in the hospital to recover, now we are able to do them with little incisions and get people home sooner with less pain. For certain operations, it's a game changer."
Dr. Mason is also proud of the way North Okaloosa Medical Center has been leading the way with its commitment to making advanced technology available for physicians in the area. “It’s a big deal, having technology like this available in Crestview,” said Mason. “We were the first in Okaloosa County to upgrade to a modern surgical system in 2019, and because we have performed so many of these procedures with good outcomes, patients know they can count on us.”
But Mason is quick to say he didn’t achieve this milestone by himself. He credits his skilled and long-standing team for helping him hit the 1,000 robot-assisted surgery mark. “My team has been with me for hundreds of these surgeries. We’ve got a robot coordinator that helps set up the OR and coordinates everything in the operating room. She knows the steps of the operations and informs the team what’s needed for each procedure, which makes the whole process go that much easier.”
Robot-assisted surgeries are used across several divisions at NOMC, and common procedures include gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, colorectal surgery, hysterectomies and prostate surgeries, among others.
If you have a medical need that you would like to consult with a physician trained in robotic-assisted surgery on, call (850) 306-2188, or visit www.NorthOkaloosa.com/surgery-services for more information.
About Dr. Mason
Board-certified in general surgery, Daran J. Mason, M.D., is a dedicated and diligent surgeon. Originally from Okaloosa County, he graduated from Crestview High School before doing his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida. Dr. Mason attended medical school at the American University of the Caribbean, and performed his general surgery internship and residency at the University of South Alabama.
Returning home in 2018 to practice medicine with North Okaloosa Physician Group, Dr. Mason is currently accepting new patients in his office located on the 4th floor of the Physician’s Medical Plaza in Crestview. As a general surgeon, Dr. Mason performs surgery to treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries including appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder disease, breast cancer, colon cancer and thyroid disease. He also performs endoscopic procedures and colonoscopies.
Instrumental in advancing NOMC’s robotic surgery program, Dr. Mason has a special interest in the most up-to-date minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical techniques. With same- or next-day appointment availability, a consultation can be scheduled with Dr. Mason by calling 850-306-2188.
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