omar Yusef Kudsi, MD, MBA, FACS
Co-Founder
Dr. Kudsi is a dedicated surgeon, researcher and visionary entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the field of surgery. His journey began with a research fellowship in Tissue Engineering at BWH, Harvard Med. He then pursued a surgical residency at Lankenau Jefferson Med, followed by a clinical fellowship in Minimal Invasive Surgery at BIDMC Harvard Med. Throughout his career, Dr. Kudsi has assumed prominent leadership roles within prestigious medical associations. As an executive member of the Clinical Robotic Surgical Association (CRSA) and co-chair of the robotic committee at the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, Dr. Kudsi pursued an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship, bridging his medical expertise with business acumen. As the co-founder of digitalsurgical, he has been at the forefront of innovation, introducing his patented technologies in optical sensing and imaging for augmented reality. In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Kudsi serves on the advisory board of Intuitive Surgical and contributes to the research and development efforts of prominent medical companies such as Gore and Bard in the US. Recognizing the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, Dr. Kudsi founded the Robotic Surgery Collaboration (RSC), a thriving global platform that brings together approximately 10,000 surgeons for online learning and professional growth. Through the RSC, he has organized numerous international summits, further fostering collaboration and advancement in the field of surgery. Academically, Dr. Kudsi has held esteemed positions, including instructor of surgery at Harvard Med, Associate Professor of Surgery at Tufts Med, Professor of Surgery at Rutgers University. His significant contributions to the scientific community include over 100 original peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and he has served as the editor of five robotic surgery textbooks. Dr. Kudsi's expertise has been widely recognized, and he has delivered over 100 national and international presentations, sharing his knowledge and insights with a broad audience. As a mentor, he has positively influenced over 1,000 surgeons, contributing to the growth and development of the next generation of surgical professionals. With an exceptional surgical track record, Dr. Kudsi has performed over 3,500 robotic surgeries. He has been instrumental in establishing successful robotic programs across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
HAKKI REFAI, PhD
Co-Founder & CEO
Dr. Hakki Refai is a highly experienced professional with a strong background in the design and implementation of display, sensing, and camera systems. As the co-founder of Digital Surgical, he has played a pivotal role in the initiation, planning, and oversight of large-scale system design and development projects. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Refai has demonstrated exceptional skills in managing and leading multidisciplinary teams. Throughout his career, Dr. Refai has been involved in the design of various innovative biomedical projects. Notable among them are glasses that improved vision for blind individuals and systems for sensing and monitoring critical health indicators in patients with congestive heart disease.
He served as the lead designer for these projects, overseeing the research, prototyping, and eventual development of these novel technologies. His contributions to the field have resulted in the securing of several patents, including 11 U.S. patents, 1 Japanese patent, and 3 additional patents pending. Dr. Refai has a strong publication record, with over 30 journal and conference publications to his name. His research and inventions have gained recognition in the industry, leading to collaborations with companies like Intel and others. He co-founded an optical engineering design house for Texas Instruments, where he manufactured innovative products ranging from spectrometers to special optical engines.
Furthermore, Dr. Refai has actively contributed to the academic community. Since 2016, he has served as a committee member for the Emerging Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) Based Systems and Applications conference at Photonics West. Additionally, he became an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Optical Microsystems in 2021, further showcasing his expertise and commitment to advancing the field. With his extensive knowledge, technical skills, and entrepreneurial spirit, Dr. Hakki Refai has made significant contributions to the field of display, sensing, and camera systems, particularly in the biomedical domain. His accomplishments and expertise position him as a respected figure in the industry and academia.