Robert Michler, David Brown and Randall Wolf, Surgery

In 1999, the first use of a minimally invasive heart surgery technique utilizing robotic technology in the United States was performed at The Ohio State University Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital. The surgery was conducted using the da Vinci Computer-Enhanced Surgical System, which uses sensitive remote-controlled surgical instruments guided by a surgeon at a computer keyboard.

Robert Michler, then chief of cardiothoracic surgery along with surgical team members Drs. David Brown and Randall Wolf completed the surgery. The technology breakthrough has helped to improve heart bypass surgery, limiting patients’ pain and the healing time normally associated with these procedures.