Banner Health gynecologic oncologist reaches milestone

GREELEY, Colo. (April 16, 2026) – This week, Banner Health gynecologic oncologist Robin Lacour, MD, completed her 1,000th robotic-assisted surgery. This milestone reflects more than a decade of advancing minimally invasive approaches to gynecologic cancer care in Northern Colorado.

Over the course of her career, Dr. Lacour has focused on expanding the use of robotic-assisted techniques to treat ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. These approaches are designed to reduce recovery time and help patients begin additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, sooner when needed.

“Reaching 1,000 surgeries is a meaningful professional accomplishment, but what stands out most is the number of patients who have trusted me with their care,” Dr. Lacour said.

Dr. Lacour began training in robotic-assisted surgery during her fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in 2009 and 2010, when the technology was still emerging. She has since built a high-volume practice serving patients at Banner North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Banner North Colorado Medical Center – Loveland Campus and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center.

Today, many procedures, including robotic-assisted hysterectomies, can be completed in about 90 minutes, with patients often returning home the same day and only requiring pain medication for a few days.

“Patients sometimes assume that a cancer diagnosis requires a more invasive surgery,” Dr. Lacour said. “Even though robotic-assisted procedures are minimally invasive, that doesn’t impact the ability to take care of the cancer. Every patient and every case is unique, but when a patient is a good candidate for robotic-assisted surgery, it can be greatly beneficial to the patient.”

At a systemwide level, Banner recently invested in the latest generation of robotic technology, upgrading its surgical robot fleet to the da Vinci 5 system, which is now available at Banner’s facilities in Greeley, Loveland and Fort Collins, all locations where Dr. Lacour performs surgery. As a nonprofit health system, Banner reinvests in advanced technology to expand access to high-quality care for patients across the system.

Caroline McCarty of Sterling, Colo., Dr. Lacour’s 1000th patient, has experienced both traditional and robotic surgical approaches during her cancer journey. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022, Dr. Lacour performed an open hysterectomy on McCarty followed by six months of chemotherapy. When a recurrence was identified three years later, Dr. Lacour treated McCarty again, this time with a robotic-assisted procedure.

“There is no comparison. It was a completely different experience,” McCarty said.

After her initial surgery, she experienced a long incision, staples and an extended recovery period. Following the robotic procedure, she returned home a few hours after surgery with only a few small incisions.

The faster recovery will allow McCarty to begin her next round of chemotherapy sooner than would have been possible after traditional surgery. She also credits Dr. Lacour and her care team for their communication and support throughout the process.

“She is one of the most compassionate physicians I have worked with,” McCarty said. “Her team takes the time to communicate every detail and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.”

As she looks ahead, McCarty remains focused on her health and her family.

“I’m focusing on staying as healthy as I can and seeing my grandkids graduate high school,” she said.

To learn more about cancer care, including robotic-assisted surgery, visit www.bannerhealth.com/locations/greeley/north-colorado-medical-center/cancer.

About Banner Health

Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.