NewsMiami's Community NewspapersSeptember 1, 2026Miami-Dade
Nicklaus Children's Hospital performs Florida's first pediatric robotic heart surgery
Faculty from the Florida International University (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine successfully completed the state's first robotics-assisted heart surgery on a child. The procedure was performed at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Heart Institute to repair an atrial septal defect.
Read the full story at Miami's Community NewspapersWhy It Matters
This procedure marks the introduction of robotic-assisted cardiac surgery for pediatric patients in Florida, potentially expanding surgical options for children with heart defects.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
locationNicklaus Children’s Hospital“Site of the surgical procedure”personDr. Makoto Hashimoto“Director of robotic cardiac surgery at FIU Medicine and surgeon at Baptist Healt”organizationFlorida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine“Academic partner involved in the surgery”organizationBaptist Health“Provider of adult cardiac surgical expertise and robotic surgery support.”organizationFIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine“Collaborating institution for research and surgical faculty.”personCarlos Perez“73-year-old patient treated earlier this year for a rare congenital heart defect”personDr. Tom C. Nguyen“System chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and profe”organizationNicklaus Children’s Hospital“Location of the pediatric robotic heart surgery.”personDr. David Kalfa“Chief of cardiovascular surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and professor at”