Webinar: ‘Human Judgment, Machine Precision: Robotics, AI, and the Modern Surgeon’

The Department of Surgery’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Committee invites you to its upcoming webinar:
 
"Human Judgment, Machine Precision:
Robotics, AI, and the Modern Surgeon"
 
DATE: Monday, February 23^rd, 2026
TIME: 5-6pm EST
REGISTRATION: https://tinyurl.com/yc62c2ph

This is an open event. Please share with anyone who may be interested.

Join us for a timely discussion around the opportunities and challenges of developing innovative surgical ventures in the robotics and artificial intelligence spheres. Panelists Amin Madani and Dale Podolsky will share their personal experiences and insights, followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A lead by Cari Whyne.
 
Bios

• Cari Whyne PhD FIOR: Dr. Whyne is the Holland Chair in Musculoskeletal Research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a Senior Scientist and the Director of the Holland Bone and Joint Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute and a Full Professor in the Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Medical Sciences. As a Fellow of International Orthopedic Research (FIOR), Dr. Whyne’s work focuses on the clinical translation of biomechanical engineering research aimed at treating bone and joint disease and injury. Her research extensively uses computational modeling, image analysis, machine learning, micro-imaging, and finite element modeling techniques. Dr. Whyne’s innovations have been advanced through clinical trials and shared on open-source platforms or alternately commercialized through SMEs, start-up company formation, and licensing. She also provides mentorship to trainees and early-stage companies, particularly through Sunnybrook’s Medventions Program.

• Amin Madani MD PhD FRCSS: Dr. Madani is an endocrine and acute care surgeon at the University Health Network. He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Surgery with cross-appointments at the Department of Computer Science and Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Dr. Madani is the Director of the Surgical AI Research Academy (SARA), focusing on the use of technology to optimize performance in the operating room. This includes platforms that incorporate machine learning, computer vision, advanced simulation, and augmented/virtual/mixed reality. 
• Dale Podolsky MD PhD FRCSC: Dr. Podolsky is a craniofacial and cleft surgeon at the Hospital for Sick Children. He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Surgery with cross-appointments at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. As a trained engineer, Dr. Podolsky’s work focuses on novel robotics applications for surgical care. He developed a high-fidelity simulator during his PhD which was later commercialized as part of a company he founded, Simulare Medical, and sold for use in over 60 countries. He is currently the Lead of the Institute for Craniofacial & Cleft Innovation (ICCI) and the Co-Director of the Posluns Centre for Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention (PCGITI).