Minimally invasive surgery is significantly on the rise in the United States, driven by the demand for shorter recovery, less pain and improved patient outcomes following a surgical procedure.
Nearly 100 million surgeries are performed annually in the U.S, according to the National Institutes of Health, with robotic-assisted surgery now accounting for 22% of all surgeries performed nationally. Meanwhile, about 15 million laparoscopic procedures are performed annually in the U.S.
Common minimally invasive surgeries include gallbladder and appendix removal, hernia repair, bladder procedures, hysterectomy, tumor removal and weight-loss surgeries like gastric bypass.
Due to smaller incisions that cause less tissue trauma, minimally invasive surgery offers significant advantages over traditional surgery, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, reduced scarring, lower infection risk minimal blood loss and quicker return to normal activities.
Women in the Rio Grande Valley who must have an operation can count on South Texas Health System (STHS) for nationally recognized minimally invasive surgery.
Three of STHS’ acute care facilities – STHS Edinburg, STHS Heart and STHS McAllen – have been recognized as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Surgery by the Women’s Choice Award®, placing them among the top-performing hospitals nationwide.
This designation signifies that the three facilities rank in the top 12% of more than 4,600 U.S. hospitals reviewed.
“Earning this special award reflects STHS’ system-wide commitment to providing advanced surgical options for the people of the Rio Grande Valley and ensuring that our teams have access to the best tools and training available to deliver quality, compassionate care at the highest level,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg & STHS Children’s. “Our surgical teams at STHS Edinburg, STHS Heart and STHS McAllen are committed to patient safety and service excellence while advancing minimally invasive surgery through the adoption of cutting-edge technology because it helps us build a stronger, healthier community that’s able to recover faster.”
The Women’s Choice Award for Minimally Invasive Surgery is the only national designation that combines clinical performance, patient satisfaction and women’s healthcare preferences to identify top-performing hospitals.
To qualify, hospitals must Be listed by the American Hospital Directory (AHD.com) as providing robotic surgery, be designated by the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS) as a Center of Excellence or be designated by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) as a Center of Excellence in robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or minimally invasive gynecology. In addition, the facilities must have no “worse than national rate” ratings from CMS for deaths from serious complications, surgical site infections related to hysterectomy or colon surgery and complications with Knee/Hip Surgery.
STHS Edinburg, STHS Heart and STHS McAllen are among 538 hospitals nationwide to earn this prestigious recognition for 2026.
“Minimally invasive surgery is a great option for women, allowing for quicker recovery and fewer complications,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Our award provides women with a trusted resource to identify hospitals that excel in these advanced surgical techniques—so they can return to what matters most in life.” STHS Edinburg, designated a Center of Excellence in minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery and hernia surgery by the SRC, has three da Vinci Surgical Systems, including the da Vinci 5 (DV5).
STHS Heart has a da Vinci Xi Surgical System.
STHS McAllen is home to a DV5 Surgical System.
To learn more about the minimally invasive surgery options available at STHS’ award-winning facilities, visit STHSEdinburg.com, STHSHeart.com and STHSMcAllen.com. For the full list of America’s Best Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Surgery, visit womenschoiceaward.com.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
About the Women’s Choice Award®
The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and a prestigious credential that identifies the nation’s top hospitals based on rigorous criteria, including clinical performance, patient satisfaction, and relevant accreditations. Hospitals earning this designation demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering exceptional care and prioritizing the health and well-being of their patients. As the only award that incorporates the preferences of women in its methodology, the Women’s Choice Award empowers women to make informed healthcare decisions with confidence. In fact, 84% of women say they would trust a hospital more if it carried the Women’s Choice Award seal, making it a powerful symbol of quality and trust. To learn more, visit www.womenschoiceaward.com.
