Robert E. Michler is Professor of Surgery and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He is also the Co-Director of the Heart-Lung Institute and will be the first director of the OSU-affiliated Heart Hospital, scheduled to open late in 2002.

Michler received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and attended Dartmouth Medical School. As an Associate Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, Michler also served as Director of the Cardiac Transplant team at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, one of the largest cardiac transplant programs in the nation. He joined the faculty of OSU in 1997.

Michler works to advance the use of minimally invasive heart surgery procedures, including coronary bypass, valve repair and gene therapy. The author of hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, he has also received numerous honors and awards for his work. Michler is also the Chairman and Founder of Heart Care International, a volunteer medical team that performs pediatric cardiac surgeries in under-served regions in the world.

2.20.01 Matthew asked:
My question is pertaining to the robotic arm that was used to remove an artery for a by-pass operation. I had brain surgery three years ago (AV Malformation ) and the recovery was period was long and painful. Because of the amount of scar tissue, I continue to have to take medication to control the seizures that became more frequent after the surgery. Is this type of technology being used for brain surgery, and if not, do you see it being used in the near future for brain surgery? Thank You.

Michler's response:
It is not at present being used for brain surgery. We are very interested in seeing it used for brain applications, especially since the radiologic tools such as MRI and CAT scans are computer-based and should interface well with the robot.

2.20.01 Catherine Mitchell asked:
I wanted to know if the doctors in White Plains, New York will be getting the robot to help operate?

Michler's response:
They are not involved. I practiced for 17 years in New York and I know the environment very well. Westchester Hospital does good work, but are not involved in this project. Perhaps in the future.