Saint Agnes surgeon performs robotically assisted thoracic surgery

Fresno, CA— Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Kashif Malik, is improving access to the most advanced care as the Valley’s newest surgeon performing robotically-assisted thoracic surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery in which a surgeon sits at a console and controls a series of robotic arms to conduct the procedure. Surgical systems – like the da Vinci Xi that Dr. Malik uses – allow for improved visualization, increased precision and better dexterity when navigating small incision spaces.

“Most thoracic cases – including wedges, lobectomies and thymic resections – can be performed robotically,” Dr. Malik says. “Since the robot only needs to make a few small incisions to complete surgery, patients typically experience less pain, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods.”

Since 2001, Saint Agnes has led the Central Valley in the adoption of robotic surgical technology. With the arrival of Dr. Malik in late 2025, Saint Agnes continues to expand the scope of robotically-assisted care available for patients.

“As a leader in advanced technology, Saint Agnes is thrilled to be able to provide precise and effective solutions for complex cardiothoracic cases,” says Glyniss D’Mello, Saint Agnes Director of Telemetry and Cardiovascular Services. “As our community grows, Saint Agnes is committed to improving access to the most advanced treatments and technology so our patients can get the expert care they need right here at home.”