On Friday 1 August, a room at Royal North Shore Hospital was filled with pride, gratitude and a sense of progress. It was the official launch of “Alexis,” a state-of-the-art Da Vinci Xi surgical robot named in honour of Alexandria “Alexis” Phirros – an extraordinary woman whose compassion and generosity have paved the way for the future of surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital.
Alexis left a transformative gift in her will to the NORTH Foundation, enabling the hospital to acquire this advanced surgical technology. Her legacy will not only impact thousands of lives, it will also shape the future of surgical care and training for generations to come.
The event brought together clinicians, Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) executive staff and three of Alexis’ closest friends, some of whom had travelled from Bathurst to be part of this meaningful day.
Anthony Schembri, Chief Executive of the NSLHD, was the first to address the crowd at the ceremony. “This isn’t just a device, it’s a game changer,” he said.
“Robotic-assisted surgery empowers our surgical teams with unmatched precision and control, especially in complex, minimally invasive procedures. This technology leads to shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, reduced pain and faster recovery times.”
While robotic surgery has been more available to private patients, access in the public system has been more limited.
Dr Kai Brown, Liver and Pancreatic Surgeon and Academic Lead for Robotic Surgery, addressed this inequity with heartfelt clarity.
“Until now, this technology has only been available to insured patients in our district, despite the depth and breadth of surgical robotic experience here. And so, Alexis’ legacy has single-handedly levelled this health inequity. It will also mean that we can train the next generation of robotic surgeons.”
For the NORTH Foundation, this moment marked something much more than the delivery of a new medical device. It was the fulfilment of a donor’s values, realised in an investment that will save and improve lives every day.
“This is an exceptional legacy,” said Gilbert Lorquet, CEO of the NORTH Foundation, “one that will touch and save countless lives.”
The most heartfelt tribute came from Diedre Robertson, Alexis’ dear friend of many years. She spoke with warmth, humour and deep emotion about Alexis’ life and character.
She admitted that before arriving at the event, she hadn’t fully grasped the scale of what her friend’s bequest would mean.
But, standing in a room full of smiling clinicians, each one excited about the future and the care they will be able to offer, she said simply:
“It’s so special.”
Alexis’ legacy will live on in every patient treated, every student trained and every life saved thanks to this remarkable gift.
If you would like to learn more about leaving a lasting impact on the future of healthcare for future generations, click here.
