Delray Beach, FLA – February 22, 2018 – Delray Medical Center is the first hospital in the United States to perform the first robotic-assisted peripheral vascular intervention procedure using the CorPath GRX System. The procedure, performed by Dr. Joseph Ricotta, Medical Director of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy for Tenet Healthcare, is the first American use of this technology and brings robotic-assisted precision to both percutaneous coronary and percutaneous vascular interventional procedures.

“This technology and the availability of this procedure will have significant benefits for those suffering from peripheral artery disease,” said Dr. Ricotta.  “Advances in cardiac care like this will also help those in our community who are dealing with the effects on a daily basis, and will help them have a more productive and active life.”

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease of blood vessels outside the heart that commonly affects arteries carrying blood to the lower extremities. It is estimated that 8.5 million people in the United States are living with PAD.

"The fact that Delray Medical Center is the first hospital in the U.S. to perform robotic-assisted peripheral vascular interventions is just another reason why our cardiac and vascular program is such a jewel within our community," said Mark Bryan, chief executive officer of Delray Medical Center.  "The adoption of the CorPath GRX System at Delray is just one of many firsts at our hospital and it emphasizes our continuous commitment to delivering state-of-the-art technology to our patients."

For more information about the vascular program at Delray Medical Center, go to our website at www.delraymedicalctr.com

About Delray Medical Center

For more than 30 years, Delray Medical Center, a 535-bed acute care hospital, has served the communities of South Palm Beach County. As both a community hospital and state-designated Level I Trauma Center located on a 42-acre medical plaza, Delray Medical Center has the ability to offer several specialized services including cardiac care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurosciences, emergency care and more.

For the past 11 years, Delray Medical Center has been named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades®, a leading independent healthcare ratings organization. The hospital is one of only four hospitals nationwide to receive the Healthgrades® Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for 15 years in a row. Delray Medical Center is one of only 258 hospitals ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation for patient outcomes according to a study by Healthgrades®. The hospital has also achieved recognition from Florida Blue as a Blue Distinction® Center for Cardiac Care.

Delray Medical Center is a state-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center and Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. In addition, the hospital earned the Get With the Guidelines - Heart Failure and Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Delray Medical Center was also named one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals with great heart programs by Becker’s Hospital Review. Pinecrest Rehabilitation and Outpatient Hospital at Delray Medical Center is designated by the State of Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Center for Adults and has received 3-year accreditation status as a Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program from CARF International.

Furthermore, Delray Medical Center was named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission for the third year in a row. Delray Medical Center is actively involved in community outreach, sponsoring several events, community lectures and fundraisers. The hospital is also a smoke-free campus. For more information or for a free physician referral, please call 1-800-897-9789 or visit the website at www.delraymedicalctr.com.