Lakewood Ranch Medical Center expanded its robotic surgery platform on August 31, 2026, by adding the Da Vinci 5 Surgical System to support minimally invasive procedures across the region, according to hospital officials.
The integration marks the hospital’s third Da Vinci robotic platform. According to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Jason Madsen, the new technology gives more surgeons access to advanced equipment and allows the facility to perform a greater volume of minimally invasive operations across multiple specialties.
Hospital leadership noted that robotic-assisted procedures typically yield smaller incisions, reduced patient pain, lower blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times compared to traditional procedures. According to technical specifications provided by the hospital, the Da Vinci 5 platform incorporates more than 150 design innovations intended to boost both surgical precision and operating room efficiency.
### Leadership Transition at Manasota ASALH
In regional organizational news, Jada Wright-Greene stepped down as executive director of the Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History on September 4, 2026, to pursue a new professional opportunity.
According to Board President Derrick Randall, Wright-Greene led the organization through a period of substantial growth during her two-year tenure starting in August 2024. Under her leadership, the branch raised nearly $1 million, expanded its Freedom School program into Manatee County, and launched the Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon.
A significant milestone during her term was securing a $450,000 grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The funding represents the largest grant in the history of Manasota ASALH and supports both expanded community programming and internal infrastructure improvements.
### All Star Children’s Foundation Appointments
The All Star Children’s Foundation added new leadership to its staff and board, naming Kayla Nevadomski as development director and Jenny Infanti to the board of directors.
According to the Sarasota-based foster care nonprofit, Nevadomski brings prior professional experience in real estate and nonprofit development, alongside a background serving children and families affected by the foster care system. In her new role, Nevadomski manages donor relations, foundation partnerships, and philanthropic funding for trauma-informed programs. Infanti, a long-standing community leader, joins the foundation’s board.
### Apprenticeship Academy Secures Sarasota Headquarters
The Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy, working in partnership with the Suncoast Builders Association, finalized the purchase of its future permanent home at 5921 Fruitville Road in Sarasota.
According to organizational announcements, the real estate acquisition was made possible through the financial backing of a private donor. The new headquarters will house both the apprenticeship academy and the builders association, providing dedicated educational space and resources to train students for careers in the skilled trades.