Women in da Vinci Surgery

When talent meets obstacles, community matters

Women in da Vinci Surgery (WIDVS) European events¹

Female surgeons attending the 1st WIDVS event in Europe¹

Over 200

Participants met in the US for Intuitive’s WIDVS Symposium¹

Network of female surgeons across specialites worldwide

The challenge of surgery, the reality for women

No one chooses surgery because it’s easy. Between years of grueling training and steep learning curves, becoming a surgeon takes grit, discipline, and tremendous dedication. For women, the challenges are often even greater. Gender bias, a lack of mentors, and systemic barriers make the journey more difficult. In addition to the shortage of skilled surgeons, women remain underrepresented in the field of robotic-assisted surgery.

At Intuitive, we believe that equity in patient care begins with equity in the workplace. Promoting gender equality creates inclusive, supportive environments where all surgeons can thrive. Women in da Vinci Surgery is a network where female surgeons connect, share experiences, and celebrate achievements. Together, they turn individual struggles into collective strength—building a women’s network that clears the path for all who follow.

Nuha Yassin

Colorectal surgeon, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. Birmingham, UK

Joining Women in da Vinci Surgery will hopefully allow this network of female da Vinci surgeons to empower each other, celebrate each other, and support each other to be the best surgeons we can be, and provide the best care for our patients!

A rising network, a growing impact

Women in da Vinci Surgery launched in 2018 with six founding members in the US. Today, over 200 female surgeons across the country form a strong women’s network of support and mentoring for women working in da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery.

In May 2024, the initiative crossed the Atlantic with its European launch in London. A November symposium in Freiburg, organized with Die Chirurginnen e.V., brought together top surgeons from robotics programs across Europe to share insights, offer guidance on robotics-assisted surgery, and train rising peers on Intuitive’s da Vinci surgical systems, including da Vinci Xi and da Vinci SP systems.

Conversations that change the field

Women in da Vinci Surgery is more than a network—it’s a catalyst for change. Through workshops and symposia, female surgeons gain the tools, strategies, and confidence to thrive in their careers.

These events address the unique challenges women face in surgery: breaking barriers, overcoming bias, and building resilience. They build lasting professional relationships that serve as a foundation for growth—inspiring the next generation of surgical leaders.

Sending the elevator back down

At its heart, Women in da Vinci Surgery is about community—a space where female surgeons can lean on each other for support and celebrate their wins. But the impact extends far beyond these moments. It reaches into the operating room, where women advocate for themselves and others, improving not only their careers but the care they provide to patients.

When one woman rises, she sends the elevator back down—making the climb easier for those who follow. Together, we prove that empowered women empower women, easing the path for all surgeons who follow.

Dirk Barten

Senior Vice President & General Manager, Europe Commercial & Marketing Intuitive

We at Intuitive, we strive for the quintuple aim. We strive for better patient outcomes, for better patient experience, for better care team experience at a lower total cost of care. We also strive to give more patients access for da Vinci surgery, and we strive to give an equal access for surgeons to those systems.

Information based on Intuitive internal data as December 1, 2024.

Disclosures

Da Vinci X & Xi Surgical Systems

The Intuitive Surgical Endoscopic Instrument Control Systems (da Vinci X and da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems) are intended to assist in the accurate control of Intuitive Surgical Endoscopic Instruments during urologic surgical procedures, general laparoscopic surgical procedures, gynecologic laparoscopic surgical procedures, general thoracoscopic surgical procedures, and trans-oral otolaryngology surgical procedures restricted to benign tumors and malignant tumors classified as T1 and T2, and for benign base of tongue resection procedures. The systems are indicated for adult and pediatric use (except for trans-oral otolaryngology surgical procedures). They are intended to be used by trained physicians in an operating room environment. The da Vinci X and da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems are class IIb medical devices CE marked (CE 2460) under the European Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC), manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Refer to Instructions For Use before use.

Da Vinci SP Surgical System
The da Vinci SP Surgical System is intended to assist in the accurate control of the da Vinci SP endoscope and instruments during minimally invasive endoscopic abdominopelvic, thoracoscopic, transoral otolaryngology, transanal colorectal, and breast surgical procedures. The system is indicated for adult use. It is intended to be used by trained physicians in an operating room environment.The da Vinci SP Surgical System is a class IIb medical devices CE marked (CE 2460) under the European Medical Devices Regulation (EU 2017/745), manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Refer to Instructions For Use before use.

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