This September, the Ohio State Department of Surgery celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery (CMIS). For 25 years, CMIS has been an integral resource for faculty, residents, and fellows, aiding their academic careers, research, and clinical efforts.
Under the leadership of W. Scott Melvin, MD, the Center was born out of a partnership between forward-thinking surgeons and industry leaders. In 1999, minimally invasive surgery was emerging as a superior option, reducing pain, length of stay, and improving recovery times. Dr. Melvin's leadership led to a significant unrestricted educational gift of $6.4 million from the U.S. Surgical Corporation, which funded the infrastructure for CMIS.
Today, the Center plays an important role in the education of our surgical residents and fellows. From animate labs and simulation to the fundamentals of both laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries, we offer a comprehensive educational experience. CMIS has also become a hub for developing new surgical techniques and products, benefiting both the academic careers of our faculty and the broader surgical community.
The Center has also made substantial strides in the realm of research, contributing to over 600 publications and nearly 340 presentations. These achievements highlight its influence on the global stage of minimally invasive surgery.
An important milestone within CMIS’ history was the collaboration between The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the College of Medicine to grow the academic portion of robotics, resulting in one of the busiest academic general robotic surgical programs in the country. This collaboration has allowed us to grow our academic and clinical portfolio, benefiting both our patients and our surgical trainees.
To commemorate its 25 years of excellence, we announced the establishment of the W. Scott Melvin Lectureship in Minimally Invasive Surgery. This lectureship will ensure that Dr. Melvin's legacy continues. We will bring world-class speakers to our institution to share their knowledge and inspire future generations of surgeons.
We congratulate the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery on 25 years of accomplishments and innovations in the field of minimally invasive surgery.