Orlando Positioned to Lead Integration of Tech and Medicine, says Local Surgeon
Like many in his generation, Dr. Marco Ferrara grew up playing video games and sees a big need and opportunity for the integration of technology in medicine.
“I feel like there's a lot of potential in the medical space for that, particularly within surgery. Traditionally, surgery has been taught through textbooks where they have pictures of what you're going to do and then you learn by doing it. I feel like specifically in surgery, there's a lot of potential for simulation to practice doing things before you do it in real life."
Dr. Marco Ferrara is a board-certified general colon and rectal surgeon with Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute. Thinking about the future of medical education he sees the idea of using simulation as a no brainer.
Specializing in advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Ferrara shared that the closest experience he has in the integration of tech and medical training is with robotic surgery where you control the arms of the robot remotely using cameras and instruments. He sees the fidelity of this technology only getting better and envisions a time where you can upload a patient's CAT scan into the system and practice operating on them before you enter the actual surgery.
With EA Sports, the activity around Creative Village, the increasing growth in local game development and the major footprint from the modeling, simulation and training industry, Dr. Ferrara sees Orlando uniquely positioned to bring technology into the medical field.
Growing up, Dr. Ferrara’s dad was also a surgeon and at first Marco had no plans on following in his footsteps. After attending college, while still figuring out his path, he volunteered in the hospital which eventually changed his interest.
A native Orlandoan, Dr. Ferrara left when he attended medical school. After living in New Orleans, he and his wife began to look for a vibrant, urban place with an exciting future and where they could see themselves raising a family. Ferrara also wanted to live somewhere he could teach residents and medical students, something he envisioned himself doing as a medical professional.
Thinking about the generations of physicians and surgeons to come, Dr. Ferrara sees the need for education through technology as the best path forward. He also sees the use of technology as a great way to transfer ownership of data back to the patient, which he feels it belongs to anyway.
