July 27, 2026 – NCH has successfully performed the first single-port robotic abdominal wall reconstruction in Florida and the Southeastern United States, marking another advancement in minimally invasive surgery available to patients here in Southwest Florida.

The procedure was performed by Robert Grossman, MD, FACS, General Surgeon at NCH, and team using the da Vinci Single Port (SP) robotic platform to repair a large recurrent incisional hernia through a single incision approximately 1.5 inches in length. Traditionally, this type of complex abdominal wall reconstruction requires a much larger open incision or multiple laparoscopic incisions and often involves a longer hospital stay and recovery.

During the operation, Dr. Grossman repaired a recurrent hernia measuring approximately 12 by 8 centimeters while reconstructing the abdominal wall and reinforcing the repair with a 10-by-10-inch surgical mesh. The patient recovered well and was discharged home earlier than typically expected following this type of surgery.

“This procedure demonstrates how advanced robotic technology can fundamentally change what’s possible for patients with complex abdominal wall hernias,” said Robert Grossman, MD, FACS, General Surgeon at NCH. “By performing this reconstruction through a single small incision, we can minimize surgical trauma while accomplishing a repair that has traditionally required a much larger operation. The potential benefits include less postoperative discomfort, fewer wound complications, improved cosmetic results and a quicker recovery.”

The da Vinci SP robotic system provides surgeons with enhanced visualization and instrument control through a single access point, allowing complex procedures to be performed with greater precision while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues.

“At NCH, we are committed to bringing leading-edge technology and highly specialized expertise to our community,” said Paul Hiltz, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCH. “Whether it is the first procedure of its kind in Naples, the first in Florida or the United States, our goal is always the same: to ensure patients here in Southwest Florida have access to the highest quality care with the most advanced innovation. Achievements like this reflect our investment in innovation, our physicians’ dedication and our commitment to continually raising the standard of care. We’re proud to have the best quality care in Collier County.”

NCH performs nearly 2,000 robotic surgeries annually and continues to expand its robotic surgery program across multiple specialties, providing patients with access to innovative minimally invasive procedures that can reduce pain, shorten recovery times and improve outcomes.

About NCH
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is an advanced community healthcare system serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. A locally governed nonprofit, NCH has been recognized among America’s Top 50 hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence. It was also named a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital by Modern Healthcare. The system includes NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital, with more than 700 beds and more than 750 physicians, along with medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida. NCH is the region’s only Joint Commission-accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center, and its cardiac care program ranks among the top three in the state. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Northwestern Medicine for oncology, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available locally. With the largest provider network, urgent and immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH continues to advance the quality of care close to home. For more information, visit nchmd.org.



Baptist Health South Florida Opens Applications for Sixth Knight Foundation Fellowship in Healthcare Technology Innovation

Baptist Health Innovations is now accepting applications for the sixth cohort of the Knight Foundation Fellowship in Healthcare Technology Innovation.

The 10-month program brings together physicians and professionals from clinical, operational, technical and business disciplines to design, prototype and pitch solutions aimed at improving care for patients and providers. Selected fellows receive hands-on mentorship from industry experts and collaborate in multidisciplinary teams throughout the program.

Individuals interested in applying may visit https://baptisthealth.net/about-baptist-health/innovations/fellowship  The application deadline is August 15, 2026.



Dr. Matthew Connor helps patients with excessive sneezing, runny nose

July 27, 2026 – Dr. Matthew Connor, a board-certified otolaryngologist with Precision Healthcare Specialists, has become the first physician in Lee and Collier counties to treat chronic rhinitis with an innovative new system using radiofrequency technology.

Connor, a U.S. Air Force veteran and fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, is now treating patients with Neuromark. The minimally invasive, clinically proven procedure targets the root cause of chronic rhinitis – overactive posterior nasal nerves – by using low-power energy to disrupt the nerves.

The World Allergy Organization estimates that 10-30% of American adults, and up to 40% of children, are impacted by chronic rhinitis, making it the fifth most common chronic disease. Symptoms include excessive sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal drip and persistent feelings of being “stuffed up.” The condition can adversely impact sleep, cognitive function, quality of life and overall productivity.

“Symptoms range from minor to severe, but so many people think their condition is simply a fact of life living in an environment like Florida where pollen counts and allergens are high,” Connor said. “This procedure is painless and relatively quick, but highly effective at reducing or eliminating symptoms of chronic rhinitis.”

Connor is certified through the American Board of Otolaryngology and specializes in sinus surgery, minimally invasive techniques, allergy testing and treatment, diseases of the ear, hearing aids, nasal congestion, nasal deformities, throat disorders, voice and swallowing disorders, snoring and sleep apnea, thyroid surgery, head and neck surgery, and pediatric ear, nose and throat problems.

As an undergraduate student at the University of Notre Dame, Connor majored in pre-medicine before pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, where he finished at the top of his class with honors and graduated magna cum laude. Connor completed his residency at the San Antonio Military Medical Center and later served for nine years in the U.S. Air Force. He was first stationed in Texas and later assigned to the United Kingdom, where he held an assistant professorship at the University of Cambridge while working at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath and at the U.K.’s National Health Service, training young surgeons and medical students. Connor completed his service with the rank of major and was honorably discharged.

Connor has authored multiple publications and book chapters on thyroid cancer, head and neck trauma, pediatric airway, sleep apnea and sinusitis management.

Connor treats patients at Precision Healthcare Specialists’ otolaryngology offices at 400 8th St. North in Naples; 977 N. Collier Blvd., Suite 109, in Marco Island; and 9400 Bonita Beach Road SE, Suite 102, in Bonita Springs. For more information, please call 239-262-1171 or visit PHSpecialists.com.

About Precision Healthcare Specialists

Precision Healthcare Specialists is a dynamic medical practice offering specialized care tailored to the unique medical needs of each patient. Its team of board-certified physicians and experienced medical professionals offer a range of specialty health care services, including audiology, breast surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, dermatology, endocrinology, general surgery, head and neck surgery, otolaryngology, orthopaedic surgery, pulmonology and urology. The Southwest Florida-based multidisciplinary practice continues to grow and currently has medical offices in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Manatee counties. For more information or to find a doctor, please visit PHSpecialists.com or email Admin@PHSpecialists.com.



Boadi comes to the position from HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, where he served as chief operating officer

July 24, 2026 – HCA Florida Healthcare announces that Samuel “Sam” Boadi has been promoted to chief executive officer (CEO) of HCA Florida South Tampa and West Tampa Hospitals.

“Sam brings broad hospital operations experience and a strong track record of leading teams through growth, change and performance improvement, most recently serving as chief operating officer (COO) at HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital. He successfully supported major infrastructure investments, facility modernization, physician recruitment and initiatives focused on colleague and physician engagement and patient experience,” said Jyric Sims, president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division.

Earlier in his career, Boadi served as COO of HCA Florida Lake City Hospital. There, he helped guide significant campus expansion work, including emergency department growth, a new ancillary services building, pharmacy expansion, kitchen renovation and planning for a future bed tower. He also held leadership roles at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, where he served as vice president of operations and associate administrator. His HCA Healthcare career also includes time with Parkridge Health System and TriStar Health Workplace Partners.

Boadi earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of Memphis, a Master of Science in kinesiology from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from the University of Tennessee. He is a graduate of HCA Healthcare’s Executive Development Program, the inaugural Executive Residency Program and Early Careerist Collaborative.

He and his wife, Phylicia, were recently married. Outside of work, they enjoy trying new restaurants and traveling. Boadi is also a University of Tennessee sports fan and enjoys CrossFit and reading.



By Hanae Armitage

Researchers are venturing into a new area of collaboration that relies on agentic AI, co-scientists that can act independently and help humans ideate, hypothesize and speed up scientific exploration.

JULY 21, 2026 – It wasn’t that long ago when the human-like conversational skill of artificial intelligence models mesmerized us all. And while such ask-and-answer interfaces are still the most popular way to use AI, the technology is rapidly advancing in capability, shifting the paradigm from “What can you tell me?” to “What can you do for me?”

It’s a move toward something called agentic AI, in which AI models aren’t limited to information sharing. They’re doers now — agents of action, if you will. And researchers at Stanford Medicine are capitalizing.
James Zou, PhD, associate professor of biomedical data science, is one researcher leading that charge. He’s developed several agentic AI systems, creating an army of AI-powered science genies trained to carry out a wide range of research tasks. Behind the scenes, these agents are continuously abuzz, making Zou not just the principal investigator of his research group, but the head of a virtual AI biotech company and a virtual laboratory.
As agent-supported science takes off, Zou discussed the emerging field of agentic AI, what it means for scientific discovery, and the benefits and challenges of incorporating virtual independent thinkers into research collaborations.

What is agentic AI, and what type of agents power it?
Agentic AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can reason, understand and pursue complex goals. It can also act independently with minimal supervision from a human. If you think of a chatbot as akin to an AI brain that can think and talk, agents are like adding the arms and legs. Not only can AI agents interact with humans conversationally, but they can also carry out tasks, act autonomously and interact with other agents. They’re built using a large language model as a foundation — again, its brain — but they can also use external tools (like web browsers or software that models the molecular mechanics of proteins), broadening their ability to think independently and make decisions.
The emergence of agentic AI has created a paradigm shift in machine learning and artificial intelligence. In the past, we thought of generative AI as a resource that can provide information and predict outcomes, often used in tasks that harness pattern recognition, like various types of data analysis. But agents are now becoming more like scientists in their own right. Agents can use and create their own tools, annotate their own datasets, generate their own hypotheses or make new discoveries.
In our lab, we’ve also been experimenting with giving agents different personas. That could mean an agent takes on a certain role, such as the CEO of a tech company, a biochemist in a lab or more specific personalities. For instance, we took multiple famous historical scientists, including Albert Einstein and Richard Feynman, and tried to revive them as AI agents, then had them debate scientific questions.
How are scientists using agentic AI?
Agents are flexible; you can talk to them using human language, which makes the barrier to entry much lower for scientists who want to integrate them into their lab. There’s a range of independence that agents assume. They might be used for scientific support, almost like a research assistant for the human researchers, or researchers can give agents a lot of autonomy. In some cases, the lead researcher of some projects is an AI agent. That happens when the AI agent does more of the work than the human scientist — it comes up with the research idea, analyzes the data and writes the paper mostly autonomously with some human supervision.
In my lab, we use them in almost every stage of our research — everything from refining research project ideas to reviewing manuscripts before we submit to a journal. The agent, for instance, can suggest ways to strengthen an experiment or make your work stand out compared with other related studies. We also have research projects that are almost entirely reliant on agent-driven science, such as our virtual laboratory, which uses agents to run a research lab and answer scientific questions; a virtual biotech company, a digital replication of a biotech company that investigates potential drug targets and other areas of drug development; and an effort that we call Paper2Agent that “agentifies” scientific manuscripts and turns each paper into its own agent capable of answering questions about the research and interacting with other paper agents.