Digswell businesswoman to assist Italian surgical procedure challenge
A Digswell-based businesswoman works with an Italian hospital team to provide virtual reality training to spine surgeons.
Susan Heaton-Wright, who has been a teacher and trainer for many years, will serve as the lead consultant to the project, contributing her expertise and providing an opinion on the learning process and outcomes.
She was led by the project’s CEO, spine surgeon Dr. Andrea Luca, who works at the San Donato Hospital in Milan. He found that training in this area is expensive and time consuming, meaning that some surgeons cannot afford or access it.
Italian spine surgeon Dr. Andrea Luca
– Credit: San Donato Hospital
His vision is for surgeons around the world to be trained on a virtual reality (VR) platform to improve the management of injuries and damage to the spine.
Susan said, “I am excited and honored to be part of such an incredible pioneering project that has the potential to serve so many surgeons around the world and improve the care of patients in need of spinal surgery.”
The virtual training for spinal surgery
– Credit: San Donato Hospital
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The training uses the latest in VR technology where students are taught and practice increasingly difficult simulated surgical techniques. Your progress in this area of surgery is then measured through a combination of machine and self-assessment.
Susan is a global virtual trainer working with companies and clients around the world. She owns the training consultancy Superstar Communicator, which specializes in speaking and communication.
She developed the Superstar Communicator Philosophy in 2015, which identifies the five key areas that professionals need to have an impact on the business. She can draw on her experiences, from speaking nervously in front of people in school and university to being an international opera singer and performing in front of hundreds of people.
In 2020 Susan was named one of the 100 Most Inspirational Women Entrepreneurs with F: Entrepreneur, a campaign highlighting female leaders across the UK.
Dr. Luca said, “We find Susan’s perspective on learning and training to be invaluable in developing the VR training platform and love working with her.”
