Richard Satava, MD, PhD(hc), DrSc, FACS

Dr. Richard M. Satava is a pioneering surgeon, educator, and visionary whose work has helped shape the future of minimally invasive and technology-driven surgery. A Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Washington, he has been internationally recognized for his contributions to surgical innovation, particularly in robotics, simulation, virtual reality, and image-guided intervention. Over the course of his career, Dr. Satava has played a foundational role in advancing how surgeons train, operate, and integrate emerging technologies into patient care.

​Widely regarded as one of the early thought leaders in surgical robotics and simulation, Dr. Satava helped champion concepts such as telepresence surgery, virtual reality training, and next-generation computer-assisted intervention long before they became mainstream. His leadership and forward-looking vision strongly align with the mission of the Society of Incisionless Surgery, reflecting a lifelong commitment to advancing less invasive, precision-based approaches that expand what is possible in modern surgical care.