Baltimore – September 17, 2026 -- Mercy Medical Center has introduced Mako SmartRoboticsTM technology for shoulder replacement surgery, making it among the first providers in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer the robotic-arm assisted procedure.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro leads the new program
Gregory V. Gasbarro, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist at Mercy, is now performing robotic Mako shoulder arthroplasty for patients. He treats patients ages 15 and older through The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy.
The technology builds a 3D surgical plan from a patient's own CT scan
Mako SmartRoboticsTM uses a detailed 3D CT scan of each patient's shoulder to generate a personalized surgical plan. During the operation, the robotic-arm assisted system helps the surgeon execute that plan with added precision while allowing real-time adjustments.
Dr. Gasbarro said the technology allows for a more individualized approach to shoulder replacement that may improve implant positioning and help patients return to daily activities. He noted the goal is to optimize outcomes for patients suffering from shoulder arthritis and other debilitating conditions.
The procedure targets patients with chronic shoulder pain unresponsive to other treatments
Shoulder replacement surgery is typically recommended for patients with chronic shoulder pain, arthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, or significant loss of shoulder function that hasn't improved with conservative treatments. Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., Chief of Orthopedics at Mercy, said the addition of robotic-arm assisted shoulder replacement strengthens the hospital's orthopedic program and gives patients across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic access to newer surgical options.
Dr. Gasbarro also directs a dedicated shoulder recovery program
Gasbarro serves as Medical Director of The Shoulder Joint Journey program, an initiative focused on optimizing recovery and patient education for shoulder replacement surgery. He works alongside fellow orthopedic surgeons Dr. Joseph Ciotola, Dr. Mark Slabaugh and Dr. John-Paul Rue, treating conditions including rotator cuff tears, fractures and arthritis.