A pioneering piece of surgical technology at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) has been named Alexis in memory of Alexandria Phirros – a woman of quiet generosity, enduring friendships and a deep belief in the power of progress.
Thanks to a significant bequest from the Estate of Alexandria Phirros, the hospital has welcomed the arrival of the Da Vinci Xi surgical system – a state-of-the-art robot that will transform the way complex procedures are performed.
“The Alexis surgical robot will enable greater surgical precision and improved outcomes for our patients,” said Anthony Schembri, Chief Executive of Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD).
“It also enhances our ability to attract the very best surgical talent, who can now come to Royal North Shore Hospital to train with world-class technology.”
Philanthropy through the NORTH Foundation made this groundbreaking step possible.
“Alexandria has single-handedly levelled a great inequity between public and private in the Northern Sydney Local Health District,” said Dr Kai Brown, Liver and Pancreatic Surgeon and Academic Lead for Robotic Surgery at RNSH.
“Hers will be a permanent legacy. She has opened a world of opportunity for not only patients, but also for our surgical team – allowing NSLHD to become a leader in minimally invasive robotic surgery.”
Robotic-assisted surgery has been a trusted and advanced option in Australia for over two decades, becoming the standard of care for many procedures. Now, with the introduction of Alexis, Northern Sydney Local Health District will proudly offer its own publicly available robotic platform – ensuring that even more patients can benefit from this cutting-edge technology.
With surgeons across urology, colorectal, cardiothoracic, upper gastrointestinal, gynaecology and ENT already trained in robotic-assisted techniques, the hospital is ready. The first case – a minimally invasive procedure to dramatically improve quality of life for a patient with chronic pancreatitis – will take place in early August.
“The robot is similar to laparoscopic or ‘keyhole’ surgery, but with significant advantages,” said Dr Brown.
“Instead of being limited to their two hands, the surgeon controls four articulated robotic arms via a console. With 10x high-definition 3D magnification, it allows for extraordinary precision, dexterity and visualisation. It means many operations that once required large incisions can now be done with smaller ones – reducing pain, shortening hospital stays and speeding up recovery for our patients.”
For Dr Brown and the wider team at RNSH, the importance of philanthropic support cannot be overstated.
“It is difficult for public health to make long-term investments when faced with so many immediate demands. This kind of giving helps leapfrog an institution from keeping up to leading – nationally and internationally.”
For Deidre Robertson, executor of the estate and Alexandria’s best friend of more than 70 years, it is a gift that beautifully reflects the woman she knew.
“Alexandria had a love of music, antiques, restoring furniture and was a skilled tailoress,” Deidre said.
“She was incredibly proud of her Greek heritage and worked with her father building houses – I remember them growing strange vegetables like eggplant and zucchini in the backyard long before they were common. We were like family. She was part of ours for as long as I can remember.”
Alexandria, who passed away at age 89 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, had experienced first-hand the care of RNSH after being successfully treated for throat cancer years earlier.
“Alexandria’s generosity will touch the lives of thousands of patients and support the next generation of clinical innovation in Australia. Her legacy is not only one of kindness and generosity, but of vision – a belief in a future where advanced healthcare is accessible to all,” said Gil Lorquet, CEO of the NORTH Foundation.
Deidre said Alexandria would be humbled by how she is being remembered.
“She always felt enormous gratitude for the care she received,” said Deidre.
“She believed in science and progress – and she would be so proud to be remembered this way. To have a surgical robot named after her, helping people for years to come, is something she would be honoured by.”
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