Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is excited to invite the public to an open house on Saturday, Feb. 1, for the opportunity to learn about two new services it is offering the community. A robot-assisted surgery unit is being added to the Surgery Department. This technology will give surgeons and patients many benefits, including access to procedures in the Mitchell community that were not previously available, such as para-esophageal/hiatal hernia repair surgeries. Potential benefits this surgical robot will provide to patients include smaller incisions, reduced pain, less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, a faster return to normal activities and a lower risk of complications. Meanwhile, the Avera Pain Management clinic will be located on the second floor of the hospital and will provide interventional and non-interventional procedures to treat conditions such as: • Chronic and acute neck pain or back pain • Pain shooting down the legs and phantom limb pain • Joints: hip, knee and shoulder pain • Work-related injuries • Headaches • Fibromyalgia • Myofascial pain syndromes (muscle pain) • Diabetic neuropathic pain (nerve pain associated with diabetes) • Complex regional pain syndrome (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) • Post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) Anesthesiologists Phillip Becker, MD; Shawn Haley, MD; and John VanErdewyk, MD; along with Baylee Wenande, CNP, will help patients deal with discomfort in a way that’s personally effective for them. Patients will need a referral from their doctor to make an appointment at the new clinic. Doctors and other health care professionals will be on hand during the open house to explain these new services and answer questions. Visitors will be able to view the surgical robot in the operating room and the pain management clinic space. The open house will be held from 9-11 a.m., with a short welcome and blessing ceremony at 9. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Attendees should come to the main hospital entrance, located near the intersection of East Fifth Avenue and Foster Street.