NewsCommunity Newspapers (Miami)September 1, 2026Miami-Dade
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital performs Florida’s first pediatric robotic heart surgery
Faculty from the Florida International University (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine successfully completed the state's first robotics-assisted pediatric cardiac surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The procedure was used to repair an atrial septal defect (ASD) in a pediatric patient.
Read the full story at Community Newspapers (Miami)Why It Matters
This procedure marks the introduction of robotic-assisted cardiac surgery for children in Florida, potentially expanding surgical options for pediatric heart conditions in the region.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
locationNicklaus Children’s Hospital“Site of the surgical procedure”personDr. Makoto Hashimoto“Cardiac surgeon at Baptist Health and FIU professor.”organizationFlorida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine“Academic partner involved in the surgery”organizationBaptist Health“Clinical partner providing adult robotic surgery expertise.”personCarlos Perez“Patient treated earlier this year for a rare five-chambered heart condition.”personDr. Tom C. Nguyen“System chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and FIU p”organizationNicklaus Children’s Hospital“Site of the pediatric robotic surgery.”personDr. David Kalfa“Chief of cardiovascular surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and FIU professo”organizationFlorida International University“Academic partner in the surgical collaboration.”