Alexandra L. Van Horn

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Alexandra L. Van Horn is a pioneering surgical educator whose work centers on the integration of robotic surgery training into undergraduate medical education. Her most influential contribution, the 2021 paper "Development of a Senior Medical Student Robotic Surgery Training Elective" (22 citations), addresses a critical gap in surgical pedagogy by demonstrating that early, structured exposure to robotic platforms can significantly flatten the learning curve for future residents. This work has become a foundational reference for institutions seeking to modernize their surgical curricula, directly impacting how medical schools prepare students for the demands of minimally invasive surgery. By championing the creation of formalized robotic electives for senior medical students, Dr. Van Horn has helped shift the paradigm from postgraduate-only training to a more integrated, longitudinal approach. Her research not only advances technical skill acquisition but also informs best practices in surgical education, ensuring that the next generation of surgeons enters residency with foundational competence in robotic systems. Through this targeted innovation, she has established herself as a key voice in shaping the future of surgical training.