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Maury Regional Surgeon completes 2,000th robotic-arm assisted procedure

Issue #500

July 19, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛈️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy in morning, afternoon thunderstorms, w/ high of 85, low of 73.

📰 Maury Regional Surgeon completes 2,000th robotic-arm assisted procedure

📰 Columbia Teen Wins Skill Point Certificate at World’s Largest Skills Championship

📌 7/19: Back To School Give Away Event

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Maury Regional Surgeon completes 2,000th robotic-arm assisted procedure

Credit: Maury Regional Health

Orthopedic surgeon W. Cason Shirley, MD, recently hit a major milestone at Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) — performing 2,000 procedures using Stryker’s Mako robotic-arm system for knee and hip replacements.

“Performing my 2,000th Mako robotic surgery is extremely rewarding,” Shirley said. “It is an honor to use this innovative technology that revolutionizes joint replacement surgeries in our region, allowing us to individually tailor surgical plans to our patients for better outcomes.”

First introduced at MRMC in 2017, the Mako SmartRobotics™ System by Stryker is designed to elevate surgeon control and optimize implant placement. By combining Mako’s 3D CT-based planning and AccuStop™ haptic technology into one platform, surgeons can plan for better outcomes by creating personalized surgical approaches based on each patient’s unique anatomy before entering the operating room. The Mako system’s surgical precision can offer less pain and faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

In addition to Shirley, physicians on the medical staff utilizing the Mako System include surgeons Scott W. McCall, MD, and J. Fredrick Wade, MD, who perform total and partial knee replacement procedures. All three surgeons are on the medical staff at Maury Regional Medical Center and are associated with Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance Columbia.

“Orthopedic surgery is a high priority for Maury Regional Health as the number of otherwise healthy adults needing to repair or replace damaged, arthritic joints continues to grow,” CEO Martin Chaney, MD, said. “Through advanced technologies in the hands of skilled surgeons, paired with our ongoing strategic growth plan, we are committed to ensuring patients in our region have access to the best-practice orthopedic care they need right here in Columbia.”

In May 2024, Maury Regional broke ground on a 34,000-sq.ft. expansion to the Outpatient Pavilion, which will house the new Orthopedic Surgical Institute. The new space will feature four operating suites, two procedure rooms, a sterilization and surgical supply unit and space for future expansion. It will be equipped with advanced technology for joint and spine procedures, including the Mako System.

Columbia Teen Wins Skill Point Certificate at World’s Largest Skills Championship

A Spring Hill High student won a Skill Point Certificate at the SkillsUSA 2025 Championships held last month in Atlanta. Om Patel, who lives in Columbia, was awarded a Skill Point Certificate for his proficiency in the Principles of Engineering-Technology.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skills competition in the world. Covering 1.79 million square feet (equivalent to 31 football fields or 41 acres), the event hosted more than 6,500 students as they competed for certifications in career and technical education.

First-place state winners were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 114 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. Industry leaders from 850 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their standards for entry-level workers. More than 1,200 industry judges and technical committee members participated this year.

All SkillsUSA Championships competitors were honored on Friday night, June 27 at the closing SkillsUSA Awards Session at State Farm Arena. As an indicator of proficiency, Skill Point Certificates were awarded to the national contestants who met a predetermined threshold contest score for their SkillsUSA event, demonstrating workplace readiness. Students can add this certificate to an employment portfolio.

The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. The national, nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry is a verified talent pipeline for America's skilled workforce that is working to help solve the skills gap.

TODAY: Back To School Give Away Event

The River Church (2486 Park Plus Dr.) is hosting a Back to School Give Away with FREE backpacks, school supplies, clothes, shoes and more!

Today at 10:00 AM until they run out

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, July 19th

Sunday, July 20th

MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, July 19th

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Pickin’ in the Park, Harvey Park, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Song Writers Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
MFT, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
8-Track, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Dust & Daisies, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, July 20th

Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 PM 
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Reba’s Hairdo, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill 4:00 - 7:00 PM

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