Thursday – 16 June
14.05 - 14.45
“The Pursuit of Connecting the Dots”

Bob B. Kiaii, MD
University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA (USA)

Dr. Bob Kiaii has served many roles: professor in various departments of surgery, chair in divisions of cardiothoracic and cardiac surgery, endow Chair of the Ray and Margaret Chair of Surgical Innovation, a founding member of CSTAR, and now president of the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery. In such roles, Dr. Kiaii has continued to perform ground-breaking procedures, including the world’s first aortic valve bypass using the Correx apial conduit and repair of a perforation of the right atrium using the da Vinci Robotic System, making him one of the most experienced minimally invasive robotic cardiac surgeons both nationally and internationally. He has served on numerous scientific advisory boards, and is a regular reviewer of grant submissions and journal articles as an expert in the field of minimally invasive surgery. His bibliography includes 8 book chapters, 179 peer-reviewed papers, 136 published abstracts, and more than 191 guest lectures.

Friday – 17 June
13.45 - 14.45
“Medical Robotics, AI, and the Future of Life”

David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics
Hong Kong

Hanson, founder of Hong-Kong based Hanson Robotics, conceived of a cartoonish, two-foot robot that can relate to children and facilitate autism therapy. He designed a talking Einstein head that will tutor you in math and beat you at brain games. And he’s the creator of Sophia, the glamorous android with iridescent eyes who can laugh at your jokes and grimace when you suffer. His robots span the disciplines of fine art, consumer products, research, healthcare, and more. They roam the halls of Cambridge University, the Centers for Disease Control, and countless museums. Hanson Robotics is ground zero for the feverish invention of revolutionary humanoid robots. Because of Hanson, true wonders have been born. He’s created more than 50 original robots designed to spark the imagination and push the frontiers of realism.

Saturday – 18 June
11.30 - 12:30
“Creative Destruction and Destructive Creation are Related Principles in Medical Innovation - Personal Glimpses and Journey”

Valavanur A. Subramanian, MD, FACS
New York, NY (USA)

An early founder and past president of ISMICS, Valavanur A. (Mani) Subramanian M.D. is a cardiac surgeon not only recognized worldwide for his pioneering work in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, but also for his role as an educator and humanitarian, presenting over 150 lectures at hospitals and teleconferences around the world. Dr. Subramanian is the inventor of multiple groundbreaking devices, like the practical miniaturized membrane oxygenator in 1966, the Percutaneous IABP in 1979, MIDCAB stabilizer in 1995, and is currently working on disruptive trans catheter technology for treatment of functional Mitral & Tricuspid Regurgitation alongside other projects. Having been active in training cardiac surgeons during his 40 years of clinical practice and academic roles, the Innovation Award shares his name, as he has continued to inspire others to promote healing and peace in troubled areas of the world. Coming to us from New York with his wife, Dr. Subramanian will share his personal journey spanning nearly 60 years in the cardiovascular space on the cyclical creative destruction and destruction creation in cardiovascular space.

Please also plan to attend the following programs supported by Dr. Subramanian:

• Subramanian Innovation Award Competition
  Thursday (16 June: 11.30 - 12.15) Has become an annual tradition at the ISMICS Meeting - This session will feature the three award finalist's presentations, and an update from the past award winner. At the conclusion of the finalist's presentations you will have the opportunity to vote on who you think should take home the award!
• Technical Challenges: Pitfalls and Disasters
  Saturday (18 June: 12:30 - 14:00) Join Dr. Subramanian, and his moderators (Gry Dahle & Ramachandra C. Reddy), for this always popular ISMICS session!

ePoster Competition (Round 1) & Thursday Evening Reception
Thursday – 16 June
17.15 - 18.15

Join us to network with your colleagues and attend Round 1 of the annual highly anticipated ISMICS ePoster Competition.

Friday – 17 June
18.30 - 21.00
Royal Castle (Warsaw)

Join us for a festive celebration at the Kubicki Arcades at the Royal Castle of our first in-person meeting in years. We invite you to the Kubicki Arcades to enjoy libations, food, the comradery of your colleagues, and entertainment by the Herzhaft Band. Please note, this reception is a separate fee and can be added to your registration during the registration process.