Sunday, March 22, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In this one-day Summit, industry leaders, experts, innovators and pioneers explored the pivotal intersection of technology and human-centered design in transforming health care using robotics technology. The Summit stimulated much-needed dialogue towards expanding the opportunities and reducing the risks of health care robotics of all forms (surgical, modular, rehabilitation, social, etc.) through the careful consideration of human factors. All attendees engaged in insightful discussions, gain practical insights and be part of the future shaping of robotics-based patient care.
Included in registration: Beverage breaks, lunch and Sunday evening reception.
Program Chairs
Tiffany Leverenz, Intuitive
Valerie Schiebel, Intuitive
Russ Branaghan, Research Collective
Jackie Cha, University of Wisconsin – Madison
2026 Healthcare Robotics Summit Schedule
| Time |
Session |
| 8:00-8:15 a.m. |
Welcome |
| 8:15-9:45 a.m. |
Session 1 – Keynote + Panel
Dr. Gary Sutkin, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine
Alleana Corpin, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine
Tiffany Leverenz, Intuitive
|
| 9:45-10:00 a.m. |
Break |
| 10:00-11:30 a.m. |
Session 2
Designing Robotic Medical Clowns: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Emotional Support in Pediatric Care
Ela Liberman-Pincu, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Tal Oron-Gilad, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Exoskeleton Evaluation for Emergency Responders
Mousa Alsulais, University of Michigan
SAGES Tool for Assessing Robotic Surgery Systems (STARSS)
Jackie Cha, University of Wisconsin
|
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. |
Session 3
Uncomplicating Complicated Team Testing: Effective Strategies for Team Testing with Robotic Assisted Surgical Devices
Laura Birmingham, Emergo by UL
Suruchi Batra, Emergo by UL
Reacting to the FDA: When are Users of RAS Systems Special… and When Aren’t They?
Layne Hartman, Emergo by UL
Merrick Kossak, Emergo by UL
|
| 2:00-2:15 p.m. |
Break |
| 1:00-2:30 p.m. |
Session 4
Bridging the Gap Between Human Expertise and Robotic Precision: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Datasets for Training AI-Powered Microsurgical Robots
Adelina Nielsen, University of Calgary
Christopher Nielsen, University of Calgary
Patrick Gooi, University of Calgary
Human Factors Impacts of High-Latency Telesurgery: A Study on the Effects of Latency and Motion Scaling
Rachael Wagner, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Victoria Nelson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Piet Hinoul, Virtual Incision
Shane Farritor, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Envelope Protection: Applications in Robotic Surgery?
Atanu Pal, Cambridge University Hospitals
|
| 3:45-4:00 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:45- 3:45 p.m. |
Session 5
Networking Happy Hour
|