Robot, M.D., Texas physicians use robotics to improve surgical outcomes May 23, 2007 Texas Medicine, May 2007 (Subscription required.) Arlington obstetrician-gynecologist Gary Donovitz, MD, has found what may be the coolest "video game" ever invented. It's got a three-dimensional display that shows objects at 10-power magnification. And the "joystick" has fingertip controls that allow objects to replication his every hand movement, providing incredible precision for every action. But when Dr. Donovitz and other surgeons sit down to "play" with this machine, they're doing something much more serious than playing "Space Invaders" or "Madden 07." Instead, they're restoring patients' health and saving lives. Since its introduction, da Vinci has been adopted by more than 500 hospitals and healthcare institutions worldwide, including 19 in Texas. Memorial Herman Medical Center and Methodist Hospital in Houston each have three robots. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and USMD in Arlington, where Dr. Donovitz practices, each have two. « Back | The Newsroom »