Alan Zambeli-Ljepovic, MD, MHS, a surgery resident at UC San Francisco (UCSF), is among those training on robotic surgical systems in the university’s Surgical Skills Lab. Under the guidance of lab director and surgery professor Hueylan Chern, MD, residents are learning to operate complex robots that are increasingly common in modern surgery.
Robotic-assisted surgeries have seen significant growth across specialties such as urology, gynecology, and gastrointestinal procedures. In 2024, these surgeries accounted for approximately 2.63 million procedures in the United States, reflecting nearly a 20% increase from the previous year. The adoption of this technology has been driven by its capacity to enable minimally invasive operations and promote faster patient recovery.
However, integrating medical students into robotic surgery presents unique challenges. Unlike traditional surgeries where students observe directly at the operating table, robotic procedures require surgeons to work at a console separated from the table and surrounded by support staff and equipment. This arrangement often leaves students physically removed from active participation.
“Learners are physically separated from the surgical team. We noticed that they weren’t really sure where they should be; sometimes we’d just see them sitting in the corner watching the video feed,” said Chern. “They just didn’t feel engaged.”
To address this issue, Chern collaborated with UCSF medical students to develop a certification program for final-year students as robotic bedside assistants. The program trains participants to handle tasks such as positioning the robot before and after surgery and switching out arm-mounted instruments during procedures. This initiative gives students hands-on experience with emerging surgical technologies and enhances their qualifications for residency programs.
The certification builds on UCSF’s established robotic surgery training program launched in 2018. The university was one of the first institutions in the western United States to perform robotic surgeries and remains one of California’s busiest centers for such procedures.
Surgical resident Anya Edwards, MD, MBA, who graduated from UCSF in 2023, recalled feeling disconnected when observing robotic cases as a student: “Sometimes I wouldn’t even scrub in, I would just sit on the sidelines,” she said. “I never felt integrated because I didn’t have a role.” Edwards worked with faculty members including Chern to create a simulation curriculum combining online modules with hands-on robot training.
This pilot effort became the foundation for UCSF’s current bedside assistant certification program developed by Chern; Patricia O’Sullivan, EdD, MS; Camilla Gomes, MD, MSc; Alyssa Murillo, MD, MSc; and others. Students complete an online introduction followed by small group tutorials led by Gomes and Murillo before assisting with real cases under supervision.
“The nurse managers, the attending physicians, the residents, the bedside staff — they all welcome the students and really enjoy providing a meaningful learning opportunity,” said Gomes. “I’m appreciative of UCSF’s culture for promoting this kind of open-mindedness and allowing students to function in this role as part of their education.”
So far more than twelve students have completed certification as bedside assistants. Many report increased interest in pursuing careers involving robotic surgery and improved competitiveness when applying for residencies.
Medical student Jessica Santhakumar is among those who have earned certification: “At first it was very intimidating but our instructors warned us that we’d be nervous and encouraged us to try our best and ask for help when we needed it,” she said. Santhakumar now regularly assists with surgeries at UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights.
“I’ve been encouraging all my friends applying to general surgery residency to go for this training because it really helps us shine in our rotations,” she added.
In July 2025 Hueylan Chern received national recognition for her work when she was admitted to the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.
“What’s really beautiful about this work is the input that I as a student and other students had into this curriculum because it’s ultimately for students,” Edwards said. “It’s a beautiful example of designing a program with the people it’s intended for.”
