da Vinci Robotic Surgery at WinnMed
DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet
Dr. Erik Brink is a board-certified general surgeon who provides full-time surgical and clinical care at WinnMed in Decorah. He will presenting information on the new da Vinci Surgical System® capabilities at the hospital.
da Vinci robotic surgery is a specific type of robot-assisted surgery. It enhances the dexterity and range of motion of the surgeon’s hands and adds precision in hard-to-reach areas. Three or four robotic arms hold surgical instruments and an endoscopic camera allows the surgeon to see inside your body. The instruments fit through a small incision, which eliminates the need for larger incisions like the ones in traditional “open” surgeries. In most cases, this results in fewer postoperative wound complications and a quicker recovery time. The arms only move when the surgeon is controlling them. At no point does the robot operate on its own.
The da Vinci Surgical System® got its name from Leonardo da Vinci’s study of human anatomy. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration cleared the da Vinci robot for surgical use in July 2000. It is one of the leading surgical robotic systems used in healthcare today.
Dr. Brink received his undergraduate degree from Warner Pacific College in Portland, OR and his osteopathic medicine degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, MO. He completed his general surgery internship and residency through Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in York, PA. As a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve and member of the Medical Corps, Dr. Brink provided surgical care and leadership in multiple locations throughout the world for over 16 years. He began full-time surgical and clinical care at WinnMed in June 2025. He and his spouse Kari have three adult sons.
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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email.