Virtual Operating Room

The Virtual Operating Room (Virtual OR) was a company based in Tampa, Florida that broadcast live surgical operations over the internet. It was the first company of its kind to create web-based educational video content that was accessible from anywhere in the world, which earned it a Computerworld Smithsonian Award in 1999 for using technology to benefit the world.

Virtual OR
Type of businessLimited liability company
Type of site
Video hosting service
Available inEnglish
Headquarters
Tampa, Florida
,
United States
Area servedWorldwide
OwnerVirtual OR, LLC
Founder(s)Robert R. Lazzara and Thomas Overbey
URLFormerly, virtual-or.com
Current statusAbsorbed by Swedish Medical Center[1]

The company's clients included hospitals, medical technology experts, and educational companies.[2] Surgeries were used to share innovations, for teaching purposes, and for marketing new surgical technology.

History

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In 1998 Virtual OR was the first entity to live broadcast an open heart surgery over the internet, out of Providence Seattle Medical Center,[3] which became part of Swedish Medical Center in 2000.[4]

In August 2004, Robert R. Lazzara incorporated the company in Florida with co-founder Thomas Overbey who served as Producer and marketed the company.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "LinkedIn profile of Damion Hankejh, founder CTO".
  2. ^ "VOR Client Profile". Archived from the original on 2009-02-28.
  3. ^ "Virtual Operating Room to benefit both teaching and education purposes". Seattle. 18 June 1999. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Facts & Figures". Swedish Medical Center. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  5. ^ "Florida Limited Liability Company - VIRTUAL OPERATING ROOM, LLC". Florida Department of State. Archived from the original on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2012-05-07.