UKIAH, CA., 4/15/26 — Ukiah can boast a new partner in healthcare as of last week, one of few such technologies in Northern California. The da Vinci 5® robotic surgical system, the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology available today, is now in use at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley.
The ribbon-cutting event on April 7 drew a strong turnout of team members, community leaders, and Mendocino County Board of Supervisor members, all gathered to welcome the region’s first and only da Vinci 5® system.
The ribbon-cutting event on April 7 drew a strong turnout of team members, community leaders, and Mendocino County Board of Supervisor members, all gathered to welcome the region’s first and only da Vinci 5® system.
Dr. Ojala and Dr. Leibe addressed the attendees before allowing everyone to see for themselves how the technology enhances surgical precision. The system allows physicians to perform minimally invasive surgery, offering enhanced visualization, greater precision, and improved control for surgeons. Procedures performed with robotic assistance typically involve smaller incisions, which can lead to less pain, reduced risk of complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times for patients.
“What excites me most is what this means for our patients,” said Dr. Leibe. “Shorter recovery times, fewer complications, and better outcomes — that’s the real impact of bringing this technology to Ukiah Valley.”
“As a rural surgeon, bringing the DaVinci Surgical System to Ukiah is a major step forward for our community,” added Dr. Ojala. “It allows us to deliver the same advanced, minimally invasive care found in larger urban centers so patients can recover faster and stay close to their support systems. This is about elevating the level of care we provide without asking our patients to leave the community they trust.”
At Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, the system will support a range of procedures in general surgery, including hernia repairs, colon and small bowel surgery, hiatal hernia repair, and gallbladder surgery, with plans to expand into additional specialties over time.
The technology does not replace the surgeon; it enhances their capabilities. The surgeon always remains fully in control, using the system to translate their hand movements into smaller, more precise actions. For more, see adventisthealth.org/mendorobotics.