Estate gift benefits patient care at St. Luke's

July 24, 2008 
 
She was the smile that welcomed visitors to St. Luke’s Hospital for over three decades and now, years after her death – a longtime St. Luke’s volunteer continues to give back in a meaningful way to patients.

In 1995, Cedar Rapids residents, Arthur and Leota Gossard left St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation a large unrestricted endowment. Their gift allows the St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation Board to direct funds to areas that would benefit patient care.

“We are excited to announce that the Gossard’s legacy has been put to use in ways they probably never imagined,” said Shannon Duval, St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation president. “Thanks to the Gossard’s generous donation, St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation has gifted St. Luke’s Hospital with a second da Vinci surgical robot. This technology was not even invented when we received the Gossard’s gift, but I believe this technology is what the couple had envisioned when they entrusted us with this donation.”

Leota Gossard passed away in 1995. She was 94. Ms. Gossard was a longtime volunteer and member of St. Luke’s Auxiliary. She greeted patients and visitors at the information desk for over 30 years. Her husband, Arthur, was vice president and sales manager of the Iowa Manufacturing Company. He died in 1974 at the age of 73.

“My parents knew the Gossards and I think this named gift is a fitting tribute to a generous couple,” said Nancy Lamb Skogsbergh, St. Luke’s Auxiliary past president and St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation board member. “I think if the Gossards were alive today they would get many notes of thanks from grateful patients. Mr. and Mrs. Gossard were very involved in St. Luke’s and felt strongly about making sure patients get the best possible care available. I believe they would view the da Vinci surgical robot as a tool that helps patients in so many ways. Whether it’s removing cancerous prostates or applied in other ways, this technology is evolving and will likely be used for more life-saving surgeries in the future.”

“St. Luke’s Auxiliary gifted St. Luke’s with its first da Vinci robot,” said Duval. “Mrs. Gossard was an Auxiliary member for many years -- so we think it’s fitting that this second da Vinci robot is a gift to the hospital on the Gossard’s behalf.”

St. Luke’s acquired its first da Vinci in the fall of 2005 and is currently designated by Intuitive, the maker of da Vinci, as Iowa’s Robotic leader. This designation means St. Luke’s has performed more robot-assisted procedures than any other hospital in the state. Surgical volumes and physician engagement have spurred an increase in robotic procedures as well as better patient outcomes.

The da Vinci is a laparoscopic surgical robot used for minimally invasive surgeries through tiny openings. It allows a surgeon to use a special console that has hand and foot controls to move the robotic arms. A tiny 3-D camera helps the surgeon see and perform intricate surgical procedures. The da Vinci translates the surgeons natural hand motions at the control console into corresponding movements of the robotic instruments. The surgeon is performing the surgery, not the robot.

For most patients, da Vinci offers many benefits.
- Shorter hospital stay
- Less pain
- Less risk of infection
- Less blood loss and transfusions
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery
- Quicker return to normal activities

The second da Vinci surgical unit was purchased for $1.5 million and is currently installed and being used for surgery.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Corizzo, St. Luke’s Hospital, 319/369-8372 or 319/560-2385.