Kevin Schuler, MD, Assistant Vice President for Medical Affairs at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, dedicates his career to improving surgical care and outcomes through leadership and innovation. Dr. Schuler’s strong background in gynecologic oncology and commitment to patient-centered care help St. Elizabeth lead in advanced surgery technologies and practices.
What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine and specialize in surgery?
Science first attracted me to medicine. But I chose surgery for the chance to combine science with helping people directly. I chose gynecologic oncology because it uniquely offers the ability to deliver comprehensive patient care — from surgery to chemotherapy to end-of-life support.
How has your role changed, and what is your focus today?
COVID showed me that I could help more patients by working on the administrative side of medicine. The decisions we make can positively impact thousands of patients. Now, in my current role, I focus on ensuring our clinical teams have the resources and support they need. This helps them provide outstanding surgical care every day.
Why is St. Elizabeth a regional leader in surgical excellence?
St. Elizabeth leads our region in robotic surgeries. Our teams have performed over 25,000 robotic procedures since the da Vinci surgical system gained FDA approval. The data clearly shows that higher volumes of surgery usually mean better quality outcomes for patients. Our dedication to surgical excellence earned our hospitals a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
How does robotic surgery improve patient outcomes compared to traditional methods?
Robotic-assisted surgery, such as procedures using the da Vinci system, provides major benefits over traditional surgery. Surgeons have greater precision, refined movements and better access to complex areas. This helps surgeons operate efficiently while reducing risks to patients. There is less risk of complications, reduced pain, quicker recoveries and shorter hospital stays for patients.
Who is a good candidate for robotic surgery, and how do surgeons decide?
Many patients are good candidates for robotic surgery and can benefit from the technology. Surgeons consider several factors when determining if a patient is a candidate. These factors include how urgent the surgery need is, the patient’s medical condition and the complexity of the procedure. Robotic surgery works well for many different conditions and areas of medicine, such as orthopaedics, neurosurgery, gynecology, thoracic surgery and urology.
What new robotic technologies at St. Elizabeth excite you most?
I’m particularly excited about our expansion into southeastern Indiana. Patients there will soon have local access to advanced robotic surgery. We are also introducing the CORI robot, which we use for orthopaedic surgery. The CORI robot helps surgeons position implants with exact precision. This greatly reduces the risk to surrounding critical tissues and improves recovery times for patients.
How does St. Elizabeth remain at the forefront of surgical advancements?
We continually invest in the most advanced technologies and update our surgical tools. And our team participates in research and development for future robotic systems. These ongoing commitments ensure our patients have access to the latest surgical innovations and can quickly return to their daily lives post-surgery.
What should patients look for when choosing a surgeon for elective surgery?
Patients should look at a surgeon’s experience, specialized training and the number of procedures performed. It’s also important to review the surgeon’s track record of success. These details impact surgical outcomes. And they help patients feel informed and confident in their surgery choices.
How does your role enhance the surgical experience at St. Elizabeth?
My role supports our surgeons and their teams directly. It provides them with the tools, resources and infrastructure they need to perform at their best. When our teams have what they need, they deliver exceptional care. Helping set them up for success is incredibly rewarding. When I can facilitate the conditions for our teams to deliver exceptional care, we improve patient outcomes.
Learn more about our complete surgical services today.
