Jonathan Sackier

Dr. Sackier is a medical robotics maverick who played a key role in developing AESOP (Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning), which received FDA clearance in 1994 and became the first robot to assist in minimally invasive surgery. He contributed to AESOP’s design with a focus on clinical user interface, as well as trials and launch, and performed the first procedures with the system. In 2003, the company behind AESOP, Computer Motion, merged with Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and developed the Da Vinci Surgical System.

Dr. Sackier helped lead the minimally invasive surgery revolution, and as a Professor at George Washington University in Washington, DC he both founded and helped fund the Washington Institute of Surgical Endoscopy (WISE). He has advised and collaborated with leading family office-owned and publicly-listed multi-national companies including Cook Medical, Karl Storz, Applied Medical, Pall Medical, Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer, and served on the Board of the American College of Surgeons Foundation, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Adenosine Therapeutics, and Hemoshear.