Memorial Medical Center Named Center of Excellence In Robotic Surgery
June 24, 2026
LAS CRUCES, NM – June 24, 2026 – Memorial Medical Center is proud to announce that the hospital has achieved accreditation from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. This prestigious distinction recognizes Memorial’s commitment to and high standard of high-quality patient care and safety. Memorial is the first hospital in Southern New Mexico to achieve this accreditation.
Additionally, the following surgeons at Memorial were named Robotic Surgeons of Excellence: Colon and Rectal Surgeon Elia Charbel Abboud MD, FACS, FASCRS; General Surgeon Barbara Aldana Blanco, MD; and Bariatric and Heartburn Surgeon Fermin Fontan, MD, FACS, FASMBS.
Status as an accredited Robotic Surgery center means that Memorial Medical Center has met nationally and internationally recognized standards. Not all hospitals and surgeons seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous inspection process are granted accreditation.
“Achieving Robotic Center of Excellence accreditation is a significant milestone for Memorial Medical Center and a strong testament to the quality, consistency, and commitment to excellence demonstrated across our surgical program,” said Dennis Knox, CEO of Memorial Medical Center. “We believe in staying at the forefront of what is possible in healthcare so that our community can receive the highest quality care right in their own backyard. Congratulations to our entire team on this momentous accomplishment.”
“We offer innovative state-of-the-art robotic surgery, and we have the skilled physicians and staff in place to deliver innovative care,” said Dr. Fontan. “Robotics allow us to perform surgeries in small spaces with small incisions. The recovery time is better. There is much less pain, infection rates are lower, and hospital stays are shorter. Everything that we measure in surgery of value is simply better with robotic surgery.”
Healthcare facilities and surgeons seeking an SRC accreditation undergo an extensive assessment and inspection process to ensure the applicant meets SRC’s proven standards and requirements. These requirements include surgical volumes, facility equipment, clinical pathways and standardized operating procedures, an emphasis on patient education and continuous quality assessment. Inspectors educate staff in the accredited departments on best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
“We’re proud to recognize Memorial Medical Center for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This accreditation signals that this facility is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.”
Learn more about surgical services at Memorial Medical Center.