NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Virtuoso Surgical, Inc., a Nashville-based company developing a groundbreaking new class of robotic tools for endoscopic surgery, announced today that nationally recognized healthcare entrepreneur and investor Robert Waggener has joined its Board of Directors. For decades, Waggener has earned a reputation in the healthcare industry as an innovator, a connector, and a leader of change and through change.
The Virtuoso Surgical Robotic System utilizes needle-sized robotic arms designed to significantly enhance the precision and dexterity of minimally invasive surgery performed via rigid endoscopes. Founded in 2016, Virtuoso Surgical is led by experts in surgical robotics, urologic surgery, engineering and AI, working together to transform patient outcomes by enabling surgeons to perform delicate procedures in previously inaccessible areas of the body.
Waggener joins the Virtuoso Surgical board at a pivotal time as the company conducted the first clinical use of its robotic surgical system in Hong Kong in May, and the FDA designated the device a Breakthrough Device under the 21st Century Cures Act in September. Virtuoso Surgical submitted a De Novo application to the FDA at the end of September, for marketing approval in the United States; that review process is expected to conclude in 2026, although review timelines are always uncertain.
Dr. Duke Herrell, Virtuoso Surgical CEO and urologic surgeon, stated, “It is a pleasure to welcome Rob Waggener to the Board of Directors of Virtuoso Surgical. Rob has had an incredible career in healthcare management across a broad spectrum of leadership at the hospital and corporate levels. Rob saw the early potential of Virtuoso Surgical to help an incredible number of patients and has not only been a supportive investor but a trusted mentor to our leadership team. The board is excited to have Rob join us, and we look forward to having his knowledge, experience and involvement in our strategic vision and planning as we move forward to regulatory approval, manufacturing, sales and clinical adoption.”
Robert Waggener stated, “In a sweeping era of disruption with AI and robotics, Virtuoso promises the holy grail for surgeons, patients and health systems: better outcomes, cost savings and time efficiencies. I’ve been involved with Virtuoso Surgical from the beginning and am excited about the company’s burgeoning commercial operations as we eagerly anticipate FDA marketing approval. This team, particularly Richard Hendrick as lead engineer, and Duke Herrell as CEO and CMO, have done a remarkable job developing this technology, as shown by their amazing clinical results in Hong Kong.”
For more than 35 years, Waggener has served in privately held, publicly traded, not-for-profit, for-profit, rural, urban, community-based, facility-centric, multi-state, large and small healthcare organizations. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and distinguished Fellow in the American College of Healthcare, Waggener has driven change in individuals and in organizations with a motto to “Keep Your Idealism Practical.” His ability to lead others to balance a passionate desire to serve with fiscal responsibility has helped him drive unprecedented change and growth, even in tumultuous times.
Waggener serves on multiple for-profit and not-for-profit Boards. In his last full-time role, he was Vice President of Addiction Services for Universal Health Services (UHS), a $14 billion hospital and healthcare company. Prior to that he was CEO of Foundations Recovery Network, a national, multi-site treatment company committed to serving adults and families struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. He led Foundations for over 12 years through three acquisitions, while driving growth primarily through organic and de novo channels.
Waggener currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Promises Behavioral Health, a multi-state behavioral health company backed by private equity. He is co-owner with Michelle Klinedinst in ViaMar Health, an eating disorder treatment company in West Palm Beach, Florida. Waggener is also an investor, adviser and board member in several other start-up companies in the artificial intelligence/telehealth space. He spends a significant amount of time volunteering with not-for-profits in the behavioral health space. He and his wife, Liz, are actively engaged with philanthropy efforts in several arenas. Waggener is a speaker, writer, mentor, adviser and teacher.
About Virtuoso Surgical
Virtuoso Surgical has developed a groundbreaking robotic surgery system designed to radically improve minimally invasive rigid endoscopic surgery. The Virtuoso system features a pair of instrument delivery arms made of concentric nitinol tubes that mimic a surgeon’s hand motions to offer unprecedented control and dexterity to a full range of endoscopic applications. The system utilizes patented technology initially developed by Virtuoso’s founders at Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. For additional information about Virtuoso Surgical, visit www.virtuososurgical.net. This device has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not for sale in the United States.
Contacts
Laura Campbell
CEO, Laura Campbell & Associates
615.579.6599
[email protected]
