ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDNews) — A planned $3 million investment will bring a surgical robotic system to Enterprise, according to the City of Enterprise.
The city and the Healthcare Authority for the City of Enterprise announced plans to purchase and install the system using federal appropriations funding secured by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt.
The equipment is planned for patient care at Medical Center Enterprise through a lease agreement. According to the city, it will support minimally invasive procedures across multiple specialties and help recruit and retain physicians.
“This investment will provide critical support for the Enterprise medical community and the neighboring counties it serves, strengthen the recruitment and retention rates of physicians in this community, and equip our outstanding doctors with the tools they need to provide high-quality care to their patients,” Britt said.
Britt said her role on the Appropriations Committee provides opportunities to invest in the health, opportunity and future of Alabamians.
“I am grateful to continue delivering funding to communities that strengthens our great state,” Britt said. “Expanding access to maternal healthcare and quality obstetric care in rural communities is absolutely essential to ensuring women and families across Alabama can receive the care they need, and I remain committed to fighting for it each and every day.”
Mayor William E. Cooper said the investment will strengthen health care services in Enterprise and the surrounding region.
“This is exactly the type of investment that can make a lasting difference in a community like Enterprise,” Cooper said. “Access to quality healthcare is fundamental to our quality of life, our ability to attract new families and businesses, and the future growth of our community. Senator Britt understands that rural communities deserve access to advanced medical technology, and we are incredibly grateful for her leadership and her continued commitment to Enterprise and the Wiregrass.”
Cooper said the benefits extend beyond the equipment.
“This isn’t simply about purchasing a surgical robot,” Cooper said. “It is about giving physicians the tools they need to provide advanced care, helping us recruit and retain doctors, and allowing more families to receive care here at home. If we want to recruit the next generation of physicians to Enterprise, we have to give them the facilities, technology and support they need to practice medicine at the highest level.”
Wes Averett, of the Healthcare Authority for the City of Enterprise, said the partnership offers an opportunity to invest in the community’s health care infrastructure.
“Healthcare is one of the foundations of a strong community, and we are proud to be part of a partnership that brings this level of technology to Enterprise,” Averett said. “This investment will provide physicians with another important tool, expand the types of procedures that can be performed locally and, most importantly, give patients additional opportunities to receive care close to their families and their homes.”
Cooper said the project shows what local organizations and federal leaders can accomplish together.
“Senator Britt grew up in Enterprise and understands this community and the Wiregrass,” Cooper said. “She understands the challenges rural communities face, particularly when it comes to healthcare, but she also understands our potential. We appreciate her willingness to listen to our needs and then go to Washington and deliver results.”