L’ANSE — Baraga County Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of two new service lines designed to expand access to advanced care close to home. These new services will be featured during a community open house from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 8.

BCMH has purchased a da Vinci DV5 robotic system. This technology will allow patients to receive advanced surgical care locally, reducing the need to travel outside the area. Dr. Gregory McBride will be on hand during the open house to answer questions and community members will have the opportunity to test out the robot themselves.

The facility is also inviting the community to help name the new robot. Name submissions can be made online at bcmh.org or dropped off during the open house. The winning entry will be selected by Jan. 16 and the prize-winning name will receive $500. If multiple people submit the same name and it is selected, the prize will be divided among the winners.

In addition, BCMH has added a hyperbaric chamber to its existing wound care program. With this addition, BCMH will now have the only functioning hyperbaric chamber in a five-county area, allowing patients to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy close to home. These treatments are often required three to five times per week and long commutes can be a barrier to care. By offering this service locally, BCMH hopes to ensure patients can access these life-saving and limb-saving treatments without the burden of extended travel.

Demonstrations of the hyperbaric chamber will be offered several times throughout the open house, giving community members an opportunity to learn more about how this therapy supports healing and recovery.