Virtuoso Surgical Adds Healthcare Innovator Rob Waggener to BOD

Virtuoso Surgical, Inc., a Nashville-based firm growing a groundbreaking new class of robotic instruments for endoscopic surgical procedure, introduced at the moment that nationally acknowledged healthcare entrepreneur and investor Robert Waggener has joined its Board of Directors. For a long time, Waggener has earned a status within the healthcare trade as an innovator, a connector, and a pacesetter of change and thru change.

The Virtuoso Surgical Robotic System makes use of needle-sized robotic arms designed to considerably improve the precision and dexterity of minimally invasive surgical procedure carried out by way of inflexible endoscopes. Founded in 2016, Virtuoso Surgical is led by consultants in surgical robotics, urologic surgical procedure, engineering and AI, working collectively to remodel affected person outcomes by enabling surgeons to carry out delicate procedures in beforehand inaccessible areas of the physique.

Waggener joins the Virtuoso Surgical board at a pivotal time as the corporate carried out the first scientific use of its robotic surgical system in Hong Kong in May, and the FDA designated the gadget a Breakthrough Device underneath the twenty first Century Cures Act in September. Virtuoso Surgical submitted a De Novo utility to the FDA on the finish of September, for advertising and marketing approval within the United States; that evaluate course of is predicted to conclude in 2026, though evaluate timelines are at all times unsure.

Dr. Duke Herrell, Virtuoso Surgical CEO and urologic surgeon, acknowledged, “It is a pleasure to welcome Rob Waggener to the Board of Directors of Virtuoso Surgical. Rob has had an unbelievable profession in healthcare administration throughout a broad spectrum of management on the hospital and company ranges. Rob noticed the early potential of Virtuoso Surgical to assist an unbelievable variety of sufferers and has not solely been a supportive investor however a trusted mentor to our management staff. The board is worked up to have Rob be part of us, and we glance ahead to having his data, expertise and involvement in our strategic imaginative and prescient and planning as we transfer ahead to regulatory approval, manufacturing, gross sales and scientific adoption.”

Robert Waggener acknowledged, “In a sweeping period of disruption with AI and robotics, Virtuoso guarantees the holy grail for surgeons, sufferers and well being programs: higher outcomes, price financial savings and time efficiencies. I’ve been concerned with Virtuoso Surgical from the start and am excited in regards to the firm’s burgeoning business operations as we eagerly anticipate FDA advertising and marketing approval. This staff, significantly Richard Hendrick as lead engineer, and Duke Herrell as CEO and CMO, have performed a outstanding job growing this expertise, as proven by their superb scientific ends in Hong Kong.”

For greater than 35 years, Waggener has served in privately held, publicly traded, not-for-profit, for-profit, rural, city, community-based, facility-centric, multi-state, giant and small healthcare organizations. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and distinguished Fellow within the American College of Healthcare, Waggener has pushed change in people and in organizations with a motto to “Keep Your Idealism Practical.” His capability to lead others to steadiness a passionate want to serve with fiscal duty has helped him drive unprecedented change and progress, even in tumultuous instances.

Waggener serves on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit Boards. In his final full-time position, he was Vice President of Addiction Services for Universal Health Services (UHS), a $14 billion hospital and healthcare firm. Prior to that he was CEO of Foundations Recovery Network, a nationwide, multi-site remedy firm dedicated to serving adults and households combating co-occurring psychological well being and substance use issues. He led Foundations for over 12 years via three acquisitions, whereas driving progress primarily via natural and de novo channels.

Waggener at the moment serves as Chairman of the Board of Promises Behavioral Health, a multi-state behavioral well being firm backed by personal fairness. He is co-owner with Michelle Klinedinst in ViaMar Health, an consuming dysfunction remedy firm in West Palm Beach, Florida. Waggener can be an investor, adviser and board member in a number of different start-up firms within the synthetic intelligence/telehealth house. He spends a major period of time volunteering with not-for-profits within the behavioral well being house. He and his spouse, Liz, are actively engaged with philanthropy efforts in a number of arenas. Waggener is a speaker, author, mentor, adviser and instructor.

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