The MedStar Center for Surgical Innovation further strengthens MedStar Health’s national leadership in shaping the future of surgical innovation technology, practice, and training.
The establishment of the Center in July 2021 was driven by MedStar Health’s desire to remain a magnet destination for outstanding patients, surgeons, and residents, and to advance health through innovation, research, and education.
John Lazar, MD, of MedStar Health Thoracic Surgery serves as the Center’s medical director. MedStar Institute for Innovation provides administrative, technical, and organizational infrastructure for the Center.
Key functions
The Center’s work is relevant to and includes the full spectrum of MedStar Health Surgical departments and divisions. Its key functions include:
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Surgical systemness: Serve all surgical specialties and growth across MedStar Health, and act as a platform to exchange ideas about surgical futures for MedStar Health surgeons of all specialties.
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Pilot innovation: Identify, coordinate, facilitate, and sponsor new technologies of value to all surgical specialties across MedStar Health (e.g., 3D printing and continuous surgery video presence).
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Education: Develop new learning platforms to advance the practice of surgery and sponsor educational symposiums and forums in surgical innovation.
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Research: Investigate the value, utility, and safety of specific surgical innovations at MedStar Health.
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Collaboration: Catalyze related partnerships between outside industry and MedStar Health, including creating a clinical testbed for emerging surgical applications.
Surgical Innovation Advisory Board
The Surgical Innovation Advisory Board has been established to help lead MedStar Center for Surgical Innovation exploration, prioritization, evaluation, exchange, and advocacy, along with executive and operational leaders.
The Board includes the following MedStar Health surgeons and medical doctors representing diverse domains:
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Christopher You, MD: Bariatric Surgery
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David Song, MD: Plastic Surgery
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David Stein, MD: Colorectal Surgery
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Edward Aulisi, MD: Neurosurgery
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Erin Felger, MD: Endocrine Surgery
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Henry Boucher, MD: Orthopedic Surgery
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Jack Sava, MD: Trauma Surgery
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Keith Kowalczyk, MD: Urology
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James Robinson, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecologic Surgery
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Thomas Fishbein, MD: Transplant Surgery
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Zeena Dorai, MD: Neurosurgery
Featured pilot
3D printing provides patient-specific anatomy for preoperative surgical planning
Representing a critical pilot and capability, members of the MedStar Center for Surgical Innovation team are testing a program that develops 3D-printed models for patient-specific preoperative surgical planning and simulations.
More than 45 computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing projects have been completed, including eight patient-specific projects. Together, they have driven immediate and anticipated cost savings as well as reductions in intraoperative time. Project examples include:
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Using a 3D-printed, patient-specific mandible model to support preoperative surgical planning.
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Evaluating the internal development of a patient-specific craniofacial implant using a custom 3D-printed mold.
The MedStar Institute for Innovation and the MedStar Health Simulation Training & Education Lab (SiTEL) continue to develop related hardware/software capabilities and internal talent. The goal is to expand this pilot program to further support MedStar Health’s preoperative 3D printing requirements and cost savings initiatives.
Featured work
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MedStar Health blog, “Pioneering a New Way to Evaluate Robotic Surgery Trainees”
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MedStar Health blog, “Improving Lung Cancer Diagnoses with Navigational Bronchoscopy”
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MedStar Health news, “MedStar Washington Hospital Center Now Offering Novel Robotic Platform to Diagnose Lung Conditions”