The initiative is funded by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The gift will fund a center that will offer training opportunities unique in the nation. All levels of students, from medical and nursing students to practicing surgeons, will benefit from the training. The UK program aims to become a national model in minimally invasive surgery training, Park said. Plans call for using interactive video technology to beam laparoscopic surgeries performed at UK to sites all over the world for training and international conference purposes.
Research is another key component of the gift.
Studies will compare new minimally invasive techniques with traditional techniques in such aspects as recovery time and economic impact. Developments in new technologies, such as more sophisticated instrumentation and imaging techniques, are part of the new center's research focus. Park and other UK surgeons are working with the UK Center for Biomedical Engineering and the UK Center for Manufacturing Systems on emerging technologies. The proposed center will be located on the third floor of UK Hospital. U.S. Surgical is the world's largest maker of surgical stapling products and a leading maker of laparoscopic products and breast biopsy instruments.