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Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital  
Achieves Regional First in Robotic Lung Cancer Treatment 

 
[Patient and Veteran Kipp Petry, with service dog Maggie during filming at TVH]  

Temecula, CA – January 14, 2025: Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH) has become the first facility in Southwest Riverside County to successfully diagnose and treat stage 1 lung cancer using a groundbreaking combination of Ion® and da Vinci® robotic technologies. 

The milestone case involved patient Kipp Petry, whose early-stage lung cancer was detected through a coordinated effort between primary care physician Dr. Curtiss Combs, pulmonologist Dr. David Lee using the Ion robotic bronchoscopy system, and thoracic surgeon Dr. Samer Kanaan performing the da Vinci robotic surgical resection. 

"That Ion robot caught this so quick, that's why I'm sitting here now," says Petry. "If it wasn't for this technology, I wouldn't be here. These guys saved my life." 

The Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform enables physicians to detect lung cancer at its earliest stages through minimally invasive biopsy procedures. When combined with the da Vinci surgical system, this technology provides patients with advanced diagnostic and treatment options previously unavailable in the region. 

"This achievement demonstrates our commitment to bringing cutting-edge medical technology to our community," says Hong Min, CEO of Temecula Valley Hospital. "Early detection and treatment are crucial in fighting lung cancer, and these robotic systems help make that possible." 

Click here to watch Kipp Petry’s powerful full video testimony. The hospital encourages community members to assess their lung cancer risk through their online assessment tool.   

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About Temecula Valley Hospital 
 

Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH), part of Southwest Healthcare, brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patient-centered and family sensitive care to area residents. The hospital features 140 private patient rooms; emergency care; advanced cardiac and stroke care; orthopedics; general and surgical specialties. TVH is nationally recognized for Patient Safety designated by The Leapfrog Group as a Top Hospital in both 2017 and 2020 and recently received its 11th A Grade from the Leapfrog Group for Fall 2023. The hospital was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2024-2025 for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, and Stroke. TVH is a DNV Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and has received eight Women’s Choice Award Achievements as One of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care and One of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety. Other accolades include: the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Mission Lifeline® - STEMI Receiving Center – GOLD PLUS, Mission Lifeline® - NSTEMI – GOLD, Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgeries, The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Certification for Hip and Knee Replacement, first hospital in the state of California to achieve certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service facility, 3 Star Medicare Hospital Compare Rating, the American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation, the honor of the Inland Empire’s Top Workplaces 2017 and 2018, has been designated an Aetna Institute of Quality Cardiac Care Facility for comprehensive heart and vascular treatment-including Cardiac Medical Intervention, Cardiac Rhythm Programs and Cardiac Surgery.  For more information, please visit SWHtemeculavalley.com.