July 29, 2026 – Patients in Central Illinois now have access to an advanced, minimally invasive lung biopsy procedure close to home through a new partnership between Decatur Memorial Hospital and Memorial Specialty Care Pulmonology.
The hospital is now offering robotic bronchoscopy, a state-of-the-art procedure that allows physicians to reach and biopsy lung nodules in areas that traditional methods often cannot access. The technology uses a thin, flexible catheter that is precisely guided through the lungs to collect small tissue samples, helping improve diagnostic accuracy while reducing patient discomfort.
“Bringing robotic bronchoscopy to DMH means our patients no longer have to leave the community to receive this level of advanced diagnostic care,” said Kimberly Paskiewicz, system administrator for specialty services at Memorial Health. “It’s incredibly meaningful to offer such innovative technology right here at home, where patients feel supported and surrounded by their own care teams.”
Patients with lung nodules, or those suspected of having them, can be referred for the procedure by their primary care physician or pulmonologist.
The addition of robotic bronchoscopy is part of Memorial Health’s ongoing effort to expand access to pulmonology specialists and advanced screening technology in Decatur. The health system is also working to increase awareness of lung cancer screening, particularly among current and former smokers and individuals who may have been exposed to cancer-causing substances while working in agriculture, manufacturing or the military.
“What I’m most excited about in adding a robotic bronchoscopy system here at DMH is that it will augment things we already do, including our robust lung cancer screening initiative and collaborative relationships with local cancer specialists,” said Dr. Patrick Sylvester, pulmonologist with Memorial Specialty Care Pulmonology.
