Oaklawn surgeon Dr. Theresa Klee hits two milestones
Completes 500th da Vinci robotic surgical case and receives FACOS designation
Oaklawn surgeon Theresa Klee, DO, achieved two milestones in August – completing her 500th da Vinci robotic surgical case and receiving the Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons designation.
Klee hit her 500th da Vinci robotic surgical case on Aug. 1. The da Vinci Xi Surgical System is the most advanced instrumentation with features that promote operating room efficiency. The da Vinci Xi surgical system gives a surgeon an advanced set of instruments to use in performing robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. Surgeons, like Klee, perform surgery with the da Vinci by using instruments she guides via a console, allowing for minimally invasive, more complex surgeries.
Klee has been working with the da Vinci since 2020 when she arrived at Oaklawn.
“I’ve used it for the majority of cases – anything that can be done abdominally and most hernias we are pretty much using the robot,” she said.
Klee said that the da Vinci system has benefitted not only how doctors perform surgeries, but also it has “allowed us surgeons to expand the types and complexity of cases we are able to provide at Oaklawn.”
“I can do bigger hernias with the robot that I could have laparoscopically,” Klee added. “It’s the same with difficult gallbladder procedures. Colon resections are healing faster with patients having shorter hospital stays than when I did them laparoscopically or open.”
At Oaklawn, the da Vinci Xi is used by its general surgeons, gynecologists and urologists. The most common procedures that surgeons use the da Vinci Xi for include hiatal hernia with fundoplication repair; hernia repair – inguinal and abdominal; appendectomy; gall bladder removal; bowel resection; colectomies; hysterectomy; and complex laparoscopy.
Klee noted that she was not aware of the number of surgeries she had performed with the da Vinci until only weeks ago when fellow Oaklawn surgeon Dr. Catherine Burtrum told her.
“After that, I was keeping an eye on it closer,” said Klee.
Klee also recently received her FACOS (Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons) designation.
The FACOS designation is conferred upon ACOS members, honorary members and life and retired members in recognition of their voluntary activities and service to advance osteopathic medicine and surgery.
The recipients of the FACOS designation have demonstrated their commitment to the practice of surgery, surgical teaching, authorship of professional papers, and participation in local, state, and national organizations. Recipients also have adhered to the professional and ethical standards established by the profession.
“Hitting my 500th case and getting my designation around the same time is exciting as I feel it shows my dedication to my career and the high level of care I look forward to continuing to offer our patients at Oaklawn,” said Klee.
Pictured from left: Scott Martin, RNFA; Dr. Theresa Klee, General Surgeon; and Rachael Herrera, RN, BSN, Director of Surgical Services
