Atrium Health leaders have emphasized future physicians trained at Wake Forest University School of Medicine's campuses in both Charlotte and Winston-Salem will have access to the most cutting-edge technology as part of their core training. Having IRCAD as part of the Charlotte innovation district will provide an ideal opportunity for collaborative training and research.

Virtual reality represents one of the strongest assets of IRCAD's institute. Its current technology has the capability to translate real-life data into a digital format – transforming a patient's medical images into a 3D, virtual clone. This allows a surgeon to prepare for surgery using the clone to realistically simulate the process to be performed. This is expected to lead to augmented reality approaches which could automate certain processes using surgical robotics, which is another IRCAD field of excellence.


Leaders from Atrium Health and IRCAD are working in tandem to create a public-private partnership to help underwrite the start-up costs needed to ensure the training center can be built to the exacting standards and with the appropriate technology that must be in place to deliver such highly specialized training. Financial and technology commitments have already been secured from some leading life science technology firms. Discussions are continuing with donors, corporate interests and government leaders to secure the necessary additional funding.

"It's important to acknowledge that the innovation district would not be possible without the public-private partnerships and support we have forged with our city and county government leaders," added Woods. "Yet, we will still need additional, significant financial commitments from both the public and private sectors to make this vision a reality. We look forward to working with others who see the value in this unique opportunity to bring an industry-leading international headquarters to North Carolina and add to its already impressive portfolio of life sciences and health sciences companies here in the state."

IRCAD is an acronym for Institut de Recherche contre les Cancers de l'Appareil Digestif, which is French for Institute for Research into Cancer of the Digestive System. Marescaux is a professor of digestive surgery. His accomplishments are many, including being designated in 2021 as a Commander of the Legion of Honor, the highest French decoration, which recognizes outstanding, long-term, personal merit in service to the nation and in benefit to others, such as in science or education, among others.

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