CASIT

Our Story

How one earthquake shifted the course of modern medicine

The Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT) was established after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, following the Federal Emergency Management Agency's recommendation to build a replacement disaster-proof hospital at UCLA's Center for the Health Sciences. This pivotal moment also raised a critical question: 

How could operating rooms be designed to keep pace with rapidly evolving surgical technology? 

Predicting future innovations proved impossible amidst the continuous evolution of computing power and the emergence of smaller, more powerful microchips. Embracing innovator Alan Kay's philosophy that "the best way to predict the future is to invent it," CASIT was founded to spearhead the development of groundbreaking interventional technologies. 

Guiding this vision was Dr. E. Carmack Holmes, a distinguished surgeon and CASIT’s founder and first Executive Director. Under his leadership, CASIT became a hub for integrating robotics, digital imaging, and emerging surgical technologies. His contributions to medicine earned him induction into the Johns Hopkins University Society of Scholars and Honorary Membership in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Though no longer director, his vision continues to shape CASIT’s mission.

Laying the groundwork 

Outside of Rosenfeld Hall

CASIT operates in Rosenfeld Hall,(Link is external) a state-of-the-art facility near the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, made possible by a generous $20 million donation from Eugene and Maxine Rosenfeld. Our center serves as a hub for groundbreaking training, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key contributions come from: 

  • Dean's Office, David Geffen School of Medicine 
  • The Gonda and Wunderman Family Foundations 
  • Industry Partners 
  • Department of Defense’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) 

Creating real impact 

Simulation training at CASIT

CASIT fosters a collaborative environment that integrates various disciplines across UCLA, including the David Geffen School of Medicine(Link is external) and the California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI)(Link is external), breaking traditional barriers within medical research. Our evolving operating rooms at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center are equipped with the latest technologies, keeping CASIT at the forefront of surgical innovation. 

At CASIT, every achievement drives our goal of innovating healthcare: 

  • Over 4,000 targeted biopsies performed, improving cancer staging and treatment selection through advanced diagnostics. 
  • 200+ residents trained in robotic surgery through intensive courses since 2015, shaping the next generation of surgical innovators. 
  • Development of state-of-the-art operating rooms at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, reflecting our dedication to surgical care. 
  • Pioneering research in focal laser ablation and high-resolution ultrasound for prostate cancer, advancing treatment options. 
  • Collaboration with industry leaders to bring innovative technologies from concept to market, ensuring wide accessibility to our advancements. 
  • Partnerships with AI and data science experts to enhance chronic illness monitoring and cognitive decline management, enabling early interventions and improved patient outcomes.