Gila Regional to add kidney stone laser

Hospital trustees approve purchase of new radiology oncology equipment and thulium laser for urology procedures

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gila Regional Medical Center's board of trustees has approved the purchase of a new linear accelerator for the hospital's cancer center, as well as a thulium laser for urological procedures such as lithotripsy to pulverize kidney stones. The hospital plans to have the new equipment in place shortly after the current linear accelerator reaches its end-of-life date in May 2028. The trustees also approved a maintenance agreement for the current linear accelerator and the purchase of a vehicle for the hospital's new outreach clinic in Lordsburg.

Why it matters

The new equipment will allow Gila Regional to continue providing critical cancer treatment and kidney stone procedures to patients in the region, without having to send them elsewhere for care. The hospital's strategic plan and investments in technology and facilities demonstrate its commitment to serving the healthcare needs of the local community.

The details

The $5.5 million linear accelerator will replace the hospital's current machine, which has an end-of-life date in May 2028. The new equipment will be able to precisely target tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The hospital also approved the $90,000 purchase of a thulium laser for urologist Dr. Stanley Swierzewski to perform lithotripsy and other kidney stone procedures. Previously, patients had to go elsewhere for this treatment.

  • The current linear accelerator has an end-of-life date in May 2028.
  • The hospital plans to have the new linear accelerator in place shortly after the current machine reaches the end of its usable life.
  • The trustees approved a three-year maintenance agreement for the current linear accelerator, with the final year to be canceled when the new machine is installed.

The players

Gila Regional Medical Center

A hospital serving the Grant County, New Mexico region, which has approved the purchase of new radiology oncology and urology equipment.

Dr. Stanley Swierzewski

A urologist at Gila Regional Medical Center who will use the new thulium laser to perform kidney stone procedures.

Robert Whitaker

The CEO of Gila Regional Medical Center.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I expect it's going to be a couple years to do this project, and the equipment we have now is good for two more years until this project is done.”

— Robert Whitaker, CEO

“I would expect us to do one at least every other week. Twenty-five to 35 a year, I think, is a realistic expectation.”

— Dr. Ronald Dalton

What’s next

The hospital plans to work with contractors over the next couple of years to purchase and install the new linear accelerator, with the goal of having it operational shortly after the current machine reaches the end of its usable life in May 2028.

The takeaway

Gila Regional Medical Center's investments in updated radiology oncology and urology equipment demonstrate its commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive healthcare services to the local community. The new equipment will allow the hospital to continue offering critical cancer treatment and kidney stone procedures without patients having to travel elsewhere for care.