Renowned Surgeon Achieves Milestone in Robotic Surgery

JUPITER, Fla. (July 18, 2023) – The leader in quality, safety and patient experience, Jupiter Medical Center is pleased to announce the milestone 500^th da Vinci^® robotic-assisted surgery to treat rare forms of cancer performed by Shanel Bhagwandin, DO, FACS, MPH, Medical Director Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Program, and Program Director of the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at Jupiter Medical Center.

Dr. Bhagwandin is the only board certified complex general surgical oncologist in Palm Beach, Martin Brevard, and Indian River counties, and one of fewer than ten in Florida, that treats patients with specific types of cancer with a minimally invasive approach with the assistance of da Vinci^® technology. Board certified in both general surgery and complex general surgical oncology, Dr. Bhagwandin treats patients with malignancies of the gallbladder and bile duct, colon and rectum, esophagus, liver, and pancreatic cancer. Cumulatively, Dr. Bhagwandin has performed over 1,500 cancer-related surgeries since arriving to the area in 2017 from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. In addition to the designation from the National Pancreas Foundation as a Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer in 2022-just one of seven centers in Florida to achieve this- the program was also named “High Performing” in Colon Cancer Surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Jupiter Medical Center is also recognized as a referral center, and offers one of the most experienced high-volume centers in the region for robotic liver, pancreas, colorectal, and esophageal cancers.

“Robotic instruments are often used in minimally invasive surgeries,” explains Dr. Bhagwandin. “A robotic-assisted approach is generally associated with less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and shorter recovery times so our cancer patients can focus on quality of life and recovery following the surgery.” Dr. Bhagwandin also serves as the Vice-Chief of Surgery at Jupiter Medical Center, where he has focused on improving the quality and outcomes of all surgical specialties. “I am proud to work with patients and their families to offer them the best surgical outcomes for their cancer treatment with a focus on their quality of life,” says Dr. Bhagwandin.

The da Vinci^® Robotic Surgical System is designed to provide surgical assistance beyond the capabilities of human hands; increases the surgeon’s view using high-definition 3-D visualization; and is used in a number of areas including gastrointestinal, thoracic, cardiac and general surgeries at Jupiter Medical Center, which boasts more than 35 surgeons trained in this technology. Jupiter Medical Center was one of the first ten hospitals in the world to introduce the da Vinci^® XI model. Dr. Bhagwandin has also pioneered the use of robotic technology in Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedures, for treatment of abdominal cancers that spread throughout the abdomen. Just last year, one of his patients made a full recovery and went on to hike the Inca Trail in Macchu Pichu, Peru, following a HIPEC performed by Dr. Bhagwandin at Jupiter medical Center.

“Employing the most sophisticated technologies in the hands of our expert physicians is at the forefront of our mission to provide the best, most innovative care for our community,” says Rogerio C. Lilenbaum, SVP and Chief Physician Executive, and Director of The Anderson Family Cancer Institute (AFCI), where Dr. Bhagwandin is based. “Dr. Bhagwandin’s 500^th da Vinci^® robotic surgery is a testament to his dedication to offering his patients specialized treatment for some of the most aggressive forms of cancer. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and indicative of the caliber of extraordinary physicians we are recruiting to Jupiter Medical Center.”

Dr. Bhagwandin’s approach is complemented by the team of multidisciplinary experts at AFCI, which includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, genetic counselors and patient navigators who are committed to providing cancer care of the highest quality. AFCI offers the community all aspects of oncology care and treatment in one location, allowing patients to complete a full schedule of appointments in as short as a day rather than sometimes weeks at other hospitals where components of care can be geographically dispersed. Recently, AFCI’s Next Day Oncologist appointment program was launched, providing patients the opportunity to schedule their initial consultation within 24 hours of receiving a diagnosis, allowing them to jumpstart their journey to beat cancer.

In Fall 2023, the health system’s highly anticipated, 90,000-square foot Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Institute is slated to open, meeting the needs of the growing community. The Institute will have 16 operating rooms; “smart” rooms will accommodate complex and robotic surgeries, while the hybrid suites will offer surgeons the ability to transition from a minimally invasive surgery to an open procedure when necessary, providing patients and their families with more options. The “operating rooms of the future” will use leading edge technology that is digitally integrated, enabling the surgical team to send real-time updates to the patient’s family or caregiver.

For more information about Jupiter Medical Center, visit jupitermed.com, or follow Jupiter Medical Center on Facebook and Instagram @jupitermedicalcenter. For a next day oncologist appointment call 561-263-4400.