Mobile Infirmary Marks 1,000th Robotic Thoracic Surgery, Leading the Gulf Coast in Innovation

Mobile Infirmary has reached a major milestone in robotic thoracic surgery, completing its 1,000th robotic case. As the first and only hospital in southern Alabama to offer this advanced procedure since 2011, Mobile Infirmary continues to lead the Gulf Coast in minimally invasive lung and chest surgery.

For decades, patients in Mobile and the surrounding region had to travel to larger medical centers in New Orleans or Jacksonville for specialized thoracic care. That changed in 2011 when Dr. Larkin Daniels established the Robotic Thoracic Surgery Program at Mobile Infirmary, bringing world-class innovation close to home.

A History of Firsts

Dr. Daniels, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at Mobile Infirmary, has long been a pioneer in the field. In 2002, he performed the first thoracoscopic lobectomy in Alabama. Less than a decade later, in 2011, he achieved another milestone with the first robotic lung resection on the Gulf Coast. Since then, Mobile Infirmary has built one of the most experienced robotic thoracic surgery programs in the region.

He is joined by Dr. Osman Hashmi, a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon and graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Dr. Hashmi, who is fluent in five languages, completed his residency in general surgery at USA and earned recognition through the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Thoracic Surgical Robotics Fellowship. Together, Dr. Daniels and Dr. Hashmi form the leadership core of Mobile Infirmary’s thoracic surgery team.

Better Outcomes, Faster Recovery

Robotic-assisted procedures have transformed the way thoracic surgery is performed. In the past, patients typically faced large incisions, a week or more in the hospital, and often a stay in the intensive care unit. Today, thanks to robotic technology, many patients return home the very next day following surgery.

“This milestone is more than a number,” said Dr. Daniels. “It represents over a thousand patients in our community who received advanced, less invasive care here at home without having to travel hours away.”

A Regional Leader in Thoracic Surgery

With over a decade of robotic experience and more than 1,000 successful cases, Mobile Infirmary remains the Gulf Coast leader in robotic thoracic surgery. The program is built not only on cutting-edge technology, but also on a commitment to compassionate care and clinical excellence.

“Our goal has always been to make sure patients in our community have access to the very best,” said Dr. Hashmi. “Mobile Infirmary has been at the forefront of robotic thoracic surgery for years, and we are proud to continue setting the standard for the region.”