Left: Dr. Michael Dunbar stands with the donor-funded Mako SmartRobotics orthopaedic robot. Right: double-knee replacement patient Denise Smith with husband before surgery.
The need for a joint replacement has become a standard part of aging for many in Nova Scotia. While it may “only be a knee replacement” to some, for those waiting for the procedure it means a better quality of life can be on the horizon.
In 2021, nearly 2,000 donors to the QEII Foundation collectively raised $2.5 million to fund a Mako SmartRobotics orthopaedic robot to assist with hip and knee surgeries, revolutionizing orthopaedic surgeries and providing many patients with better outcomes. The fundraising initiative was ignited with a $1-million donation from TD Bank Group to support the life-changing technology and accompanying research.
One of the patients to benefit from this robot is Rose Joudrey. The Beaverbrook woman helped care for her husband when he received his knee replacement in the early 2000s. When Rose got the call from Dr. Glen Richardson’s office that it was time for her knee replacement at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, she was pleasantly surprised to hear it would be done with the orthopaedic robot.
“Having my surgery done with the robot was amazing. So much has changed since my husband had his procedure. For instance, I only had to stay in the hospital for one night — I got to go home the next day. People cannot believe how quickly I’ve healed and am able to get back to doing my normal activities. If you are a candidate for surgery with the orthopaedic robot, it is well worth being on the list to have your operation done at the QEII.”
Rose is already on a list to have her other knee replaced by Dr. Richardson.
“It’s important for people to know that there's nothing to be intimidated about by robotic surgery. Embrace it, because it's just another wonderful tool that surgeons have to make your recovery and your way of life better in the future — mine certainly is.”
Denise Smith echoes Rose’s thoughts, having two knee replacements done in 2025 with the assistance of the donor-funded orthopaedic robot at the QEII.
“I believe I’m a healthy person with crappy joints,” muses Denise. “By 60, I’ve had two knees replaced by a robot and a hip replaced through regular orthopaedic surgery. I had a great recovery with respect to both knee surgeries — very rapid. I stayed one night in the hospital and even then, I could get up and go to the bathroom by myself. Within three days I was walking unaided, completely confident that I could bear weight on it and move myself around. I was only on narcotic pain medications for two days and was then able to switch to Tylenol. It was amazing.”
Denise is also a participant in a robotics research study which her surgeon, Dr. Michael Dunbar, is leading, looking into whether the outcomes of robotic surgery are superior to those patients who don’t receive robotic surgery.
Denise and Rose’s procedures were two of the 370 robot-assisted orthopaedic surgeries performed at the QEII from October 2024 to September 2025.
The QEII’s orthopediac surgical team reports the integration of the Mako SmartRobotics orthopaedic robot has continued to elevate the standard of orthopaedic surgical care available in Nova Scotia, allowing them to combine clinical expertise with leading-edge technology to ensure every procedure is performed with the utmost accuracy.
The success of the orthopeadic robot has also led Nova Scotia Health to expand robotic technology into additional surgical specialties. For patients, this means access to a wider range of technologies, greater consistency in outcomes, and the opportunity to receive advanced treatments locally, rather than traveling out of province. The continued establishment of Canada’s first Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery — part of the QEII Foundation’s We Are campaign — will further ensure that patients will benefit from the latest surgical techniques, backed by research, education, and data-driven improvements — ultimately enhancing the safety, recovery, and overall quality of life.
The $2.5-million Mako SmartRobotics orthopeadic robot is part of the QEII Foundation’s $100-million We Are campaign, which is Atlantic Canada’s largest healthcare fundraising campaign. The campaign marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address some of the biggest issues in health care.
