IPCF founder, Dr. Vipul Patel, performs first FDA approved robotic telesurgery within the United States

On October 25, 2026, Founder of the International Prostate Cancer Foundation and Founder and Executive Director of the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS), Dr. Vipul Patel performed the first telesurgery between two hospitals 35 miles apart in the United States. The prostate cancer surgery on a 66 year old male patient was successful with no complications.

According to Patel, the humanitarian implications of remote surgical education and treatment to underserved and remote areas of the world could change the face of healthcare. "I believe this is a giant leap forward and has enormous humanitarian implications to improve healthcare and education to underserved areas around the world," said Patel. "This is the next step in surgical innovation and care."

In addition to overcoming geographical distances, robotic telesurgery can also bridge temporal gaps, allowing surgeons to respond swiftly to emergencies or time-sensitive procedures. Along with the practical applications of robotic telesurgery, the humanitarian, social and medical benefits are potentially limitless.

Watch the Good Morning America coverage by clicking the image below. Congratulations to Dr. Patel and his team at AdventHealth’s Global Robotics Institute!