RNSH unveils new surgical robot in honour of philanthropist
A quiet act of generosity by philanthropist Alexandria Phirros has brought a major advancement in surgical care to Royal North Shore Hospital, with the arrival of a next-generation robotic surgical system now named in her honour. The new Da Vinci Xi surgical robot, known as Alexis, is set to change the future for patients across NSLHD by expanding access to safer, less invasive procedures and supporting the training of Australia’s next generation of surgical leaders. Made possible by a significant bequest from Alexandria’s estate, the project was delivered through the NORTH Foundation. To mark the arrival of Alexis, RNSH hosted a special event with Alexandria’s loved ones in attendance, acknowledging her extraordinary legacy and the lasting impact of her gift. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the new technology would benefit both patients and clinical teams for years to come. “The Alexis surgical robot will enable greater surgical precision and improved outcomes for our patients,” he said. “It will enhance our ability to attract the very best surgical talent, who can now come to RNSH to train with
Celebrating go-live day with the theatre leadership team and Philips project and support staff
world-class technology.” Robotic-assisted surgery has become a trusted and advanced option in Australia over the past two decades, particularly in private hospitals. With the arrival of Alexis, RNSH now offers its own publicly available robotic platform, ensuring more patients in the public system can benefit from the same level of care. Surgeons across urology, colorectal, cardiothoracic, upper gastrointestinal, gynaecology and ENT are already trained in robotic-assisted techniques, with the first procedure using Alexis taking place in August 2025. Liver and pancreatic surgeon and Academic Lead for Robotic Surgery at RNSH, Kai Brown, said Alexandria’s gift had opened a new chapter for surgical care in the district.
“Alexandria has left a permanent legacy. She has opened a world of opportunity for not only patients, but also for our surgical team, allowing NSLHD to become a leader in minimally invasive robotic surgery,” he said. Kai said the Alexis robot allows for advanced procedures that are more precise and less invasive. “The robot has similar benefits to laparoscopic or keyhole surgery, but offers further advantages. Instead of being limited to their
hands, the surgeon controls four articulated robotic arms via a console. With 10-times
high-definition 3D magnification, it allows for extraordinary precision, dexterity and visualisation. It means many operations that once required large incisions can now be done with smaller ones, reducing pain, shortening hospital stays and speeding recovery for our patients.”
NSLHD 2025 Year in Review
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