Burnaby Hospital Launches Orthopedic Robotic Academy with the New Mako 4

A transformative $3 million donation from Lindsay Mearns is bringing a second Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted System to Burnaby Hospital, dramatically advancing joint replacement surgery. By combining precise pre-operative CT Scans with robotic guidance, it allows surgeons to work faster and more accurately, reduces physical strain on the surgical team, lowers infection risk, and improves patient recovery timelines.

A Game-Changing Orthopedic Robotic Academy

As part of the $3 million gift, Mearns has allocated a $500,000 seed investment to the Foundation for the creation of an ongoing Robotic Surgery Fund. The first initiative of this fund is the launch of the Orthopedic Robotic Academy, led by Dr Tim Kostamo – Head of Orthopedics at Burnaby Hospital. The Academy will host surgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical teams with on-going expertise, ensuring the benefits of robotic assisted surgery reach far beyond Burnaby. Over time, the Academy will become a think tank of research and a concentrated live site for all robotic surgery.

From Personal Friendship to Public Legacy

The gift was inspired by Mearns’s friend, Janey Cruise, whose own orthopedic journey highlighted the challenges of accessing timely care.

Cruise travelled to Mexico to get an MRI that confirmed she needed a knee replacement. “I found myself navigating long wait times and considering private surgery options,” adds Cruise. When I mentioned this to Lindsay, she said, “That’s ridiculous, no one should have to wait that long for care.”

The duo first looked to donate an orthopedic robot to UBC/VGH through their Foundation, however, after a series of meetings, it was determined that the Mako 4 was not a suitable fit for their orthopedic environment. Undaunted, the intrepid twosome began research for the perfect home for the Mako 4 and discovered Dr. Kostamo, his surgical team, and Burnaby Hospital.

“Dr. Kostamo is an innovator and an early adopter. Burnaby Hospital was clearly the ideal place for this technology because it’s about the people driving the installation and fostering innovation,” says Mearns.

Shoulder Replacement Reimagined with Robotics

With the arrival of the Mako 4 robot, Dr. Kostamo and his team hope to be the first in Canada to perform a robotic assisted shoulder replacement. Stay tuned for this exciting development to unfold…

The Community Hospital that Could

“The impact of my gift goes beyond the technology itself. The Mako system is transformative, but equally important is the Orthopedic Robotic Academy. It will ensure the expertise behind this technology is cultivated, refined, and shared. We’re not simply installing a piece of equipment, we’re building a Centre of Excellence that will train teams, advance care, and extend the benefits of robotic orthopedics throughout the broader medical community.”

It’s a remarkable achievement for this “Community Hospital that Could.”