Balloons and applause greeted Dr. Makoto Hashimoto as he completed his 100th robotic cardiac surgery at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, marking a milestone for the program that began in January 2025.
This achievement highlights the institute’s role as Florida’s busiest center for robotic heart surgeries and reflects the collaboration between Florida International University (FIU) and Baptist Health to attract leading medical professionals. Dr. Hashimoto is the first joint hire by both institutions, serving as professor and director of robotic surgery at FIU Medicine while practicing at Baptist Health.
“Dr. Hashimoto’s appointment and accomplishments underscore the power of academic – clinical partnerships to elevate care for our community and create a hub for world class care attracting patients and physicians to South Florida,” said Dr. Juan C. Cendan, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and senior vice president for health affairs at FIU.
For Dr. Hashimoto, who was recruited from Japan where he led a prominent robotic cardiac surgery program, this accomplishment is significant on a personal level. “Reaching 100 cases has strengthened our confidence that our program will continue to lead this field in Florida,” he said.
Robotic-assisted heart surgery involves making several small incisions between the ribs instead of one large incision through the breastbone, as in traditional open-heart surgery. Using a robotic system equipped with miniature instruments and a high-definition 3D camera, surgeons operate from a console that allows precise control over each movement. This technology improves dexterity and offers an enhanced view of the heart’s structures.
Patients undergoing robotic cardiac procedures often benefit from less pain, reduced scarring, shorter hospital stays, lower blood loss, decreased infection risk, and faster recovery times compared to conventional methods.
