Vinni Makes History
The first robotic thoracic surgery in BC right here at KGH
On November 13, 2025, history was made at Kelowna General Hospital when Dr. Dimitrios Coutsinos performed British Columbia’s first-ever robotic thoracic surgery using Vinni, KGH’s new robotic-assisted system (RAS). Thanks to $6 million raised through the Foundation’s Close to Home Than You Think campaign, donor generosity made the acquisition of Vinni possible.
Around the province, there are a handful of RAS systems being utilized by surgeons, but not like this.
Thoracic surgeries include those taking place in the chest, often involving the lungs, esophagus, trachea, and more. They are often more complex and delicate as the surgeon is working in very close proximity to the heart, lungs, and vital arteries.
Doug Beaver learned about this firsthand, when the Kamloops retiree was diagnosed with a growth and told he would need his thymus gland removed. The thymus sits high in the chest, in front of the heart and nestled between the lungs. Traditionally, removing it requires either an open-chest surgery with a long, six to eight week recovery, or a video-assisted thoracoscopic procedure that offers surgeons only a two-dimensional view and limited precision.
When Doug’s doctor in Kamloops suggested waiting a little longer for RAS to become available at KGH, he was intrigued by the possibility of a better option.
That option became reality thanks to Dr. Dimitrios Coutsinos.
After previously helping develop the renowned robotics program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Dr. Coutsinos was drawn to KGH specifically to help launch KGH’s new robotics program. As an experienced thoracic surgeon who has seen firsthand how RAS can improve precision, reduce recovery time, and optimize patient outcomes for a variety of surgeries, Dr. Coutsinos was ready.
And so, Vinni, Doug, Dr. Coutsinos, and a large surgical team were in the OR together the date that established KGH as a leader in the province in thoracic surgery.
But beyond this historic moment, a beloved grandpa and husband was able to return home faster because of this technology. Technology made possible by generous donors like you.
It all went so well, I can’t believe how fast I’ve healed. It’s incredible that the community made this robot possible, and I had no idea that I was the first in BC to receive this kind of surgery. I could not be more grateful, this technology will help so many people, and it will help the entire system as patients heal and return home so much faster.
Doug Beaver
When Doug returned home after surgery, although he was still sore, he was thrilled to be home with his wife, Penny. A month after his surgery, he was feeling better, meeting friends for coffee, and able to play with his granddaughters. But he realizes how different his healing journey could have been without RAS.
“I was recovering from just three small incisions on my side,” Doug shares. “They were nothing compared to the long line the team had drawn down my chest in case they had to open me up. Every time I saw that line, I was reminded of how lucky I was to have the robotic assisted surgery. And how different my story could have been.”
This is monumental for our province, for KGH, but most importantly, for people like Doug and his family.
Dr. Dimitrios Coutsinos
