By Organ Mountain News on Jul 4, 2026

Memorial Medical Center earns robotic surgery accreditation

Memorial Medical Center has been accredited as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation, the hospital announced.

Memorial Medical Center is pictured in Las Cruces. The hospital has been accredited by Surgical Review Corporation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. (Courtesy photo / Memorial Medical Center via Facebook)

The hospital says it is the first in southern New Mexico to be named a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation.

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Memorial Medical Center has been accredited by Surgical Review Corporation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, the hospital announced.

The hospital said it is the first in southern New Mexico to receive the accreditation, which recognizes high standards for patient care and safety in robotic surgery.

Three Memorial surgeons also were named Robotic Surgeons of Excellence: colorectal surgeon Dr. Elia Charbel Abboud; general surgeon Dr. Barbara Aldana Blanco; and bariatric and heartburn surgeon Dr. Fermin Fontan.

Hospital officials said accredited robotic surgery centers must meet nationally and internationally recognized standards. Facilities and surgeons seeking Surgical Review Corporation accreditation undergo an assessment and inspection process that includes surgical volumes, facility equipment, clinical pathways, standardized operating procedures, patient education and continuous quality assessment.

“Achieving Robotic Center of Excellence accreditation is a significant milestone for Memorial Medical Center and a strong testament to the quality, consistency, and commitment to excellence demonstrated across our surgical program,” Memorial CEO Dennis Knox said. “We believe in staying at the forefront of what is possible in healthcare so that our community can receive the highest quality care right in their own backyard. Congratulations to our entire team on this momentous accomplishment.”

Fontan said robotic surgery allows physicians to perform procedures in small spaces with small incisions.

“The recovery time is better. There is much less pain, infection rates are lower, and hospital stays are shorter,” Fontan said. “Everything that we measure in surgery of value is simply better with robotic surgery.”

Gary M. Pratt, CEO of Surgical Review Corporation, said the accreditation reflects Memorial’s commitment to quality care.

“This accreditation signals that this facility is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible,” Pratt said.

Learn more about surgical services at Memorial Medical Center at https://www.mmclc.org/surgical-services.

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