New relationship with Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis (OLV) hospital
Aalst, Belgium
The Vattikuti Foundation has completed a Memorandum of Understanding with the OLV Hospital in Aalst, Belgium announcing the formation of the OLV Robotic Surgery Institute. Already a Vattikuti Foundation partner, the ORSI will formally change its name to the: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, or OVRSI this August.
The OVRSI will be one of three Vattikuti Foundation specialty facilities. A primary mission will be as a multi-specialty robotic surgery training center. The Foundation will focus on planning, guidance and mentoring, as well as providing teams of surgeons that will conduct intensive 5-day workshops in various specialties. Another focus is on effective data collection and sharing, including the CQI, or Collective Quality Initiative. Access to the worldwide partner institutes, and the financial management tools the Foundation have developed are also major benefits. The other Specialty partners are the: VUI, or Vattikuti Urology Institute, and the Providence-Vattikuti Womens Robotic Surgery Institute, both in metro Detroit, Michigan.
The OLV Hospital is known as a leader and innovator in medical research. It is one of the best-known hospitals in Belgium (and Europe), known for Cardiology, Cardiovascular surgery, Neurological surgery, and Urology.
The Vattikuti Foundation is known for many activities and projects supporting the economically weaker section of society. One of the most significant results of the Foundations generosity has been the Vattikuti Urology Institute, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The VUI is recognized as the premier prostate cancer research and treatment center in the world. Dr. Mani Menon developed most of the robotic surgery techniques now being used worldwide with the da Vinci surgical robot there. Many hospitals in India have also partnered with the Foundation. Robotics conferences sponsored by the Vattikuti Foundation have spread the knowledge globally.
The Foundation was started by Raj and Padma Vattikuti, who wanted to not just to give it back, but to really make a difference. Dr. Mahendra Bhandari is the C.E.O. of the Foundation.
