New practices, procedures, specialists: 4 recent Cedar Park health care updates

According to Lau and a BS&W spokesperson, the expansion includes:

• 12 new exam rooms
• Expanded treatment space
• A full-time cardiologist
• A full-time orthopedist
• A full-time podiatrist
• Nurses, medical assistants and other support staff
• Allergy shot service

Ally Medical Emergency Room will open a new location along the Austin-Cedar Park line this summer, according to a news release from the company.

The facility will be the company’s eighth in the Austin area, the news release states, and will be staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The emergency room will be staffed by board-certified emergency physicians and experienced clinical staff to treat both adults and children for a full range of emergencies, the release states. It will also have imaging technology, including CT, X-ray and ultrasound equipment, and an in-house laboratory for rapid test results.

3. Ascension Seton Cedar Park uses innovative robotic technology for colorectal procedure in Austin-area first

A surgeon with Ascension Seton Cedar Park performed the Austin area's first single-port robotic-assisted colorectal procedure, according to a news release.

Dr. Amar Shah, a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon, performed the "landmark" surgery, according to the release. It was a single-port procedure, meaning that only one incision was made.

While robotic-assisted surgery was initially cleared for use in general laparoscopic surgery by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, this technology was recently approved for rectal and transabdominal procedures.

The technology can now be used for a variety of colorectal procedures, including tumor removal, according to the release.

4. Behold Family Eye Care coming soon to Cedar Park

A new optometry practice is set to open in Cedar Park, offering comprehensive vision services for patients of all ages, said Elena Lischau, the owner and doctor of optometry.

Behold Family Eye Care will provide a full range of vision services, including comprehensive eye exams and treatment for eye diseases. The practice will also feature an optical shop with a curated selection of eyeglasses and sunglasses.

The practice aims to serve Cedar Park's growing population with personalized eye care services.