Endoscopy training is a part of surgical training. However, there are new and rapidly developing technologies that have appeared since practicing surgeons have finished formal residency training. Therefore, continuing education for the new technology is necessary. In addition, the center provides a central place to bring several disciplines together to collaborate in endoscopic techniques.
Progress happens when there is a collaboration among different disciplines.
Many of the surgical principles such as knowledge of anatomy, surgical skill and proper use of instrumentation can be shared among different fields of surgery. Each discipline shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel. Stanford is a place that nurtures new ideas and new technologies. Just look at how Silicon Valley virtually spun off from the School of Engineering to see what a critical mass of young minds can do to synthesize new concepts and innovations. The Stanford University campus really puts together highly advanced basic science, engineering and clinical medicine departments.