Susan Hegge

Papers

Total Citations

103

H-Index

About

Dr. Susan Hegge is a pioneering figure in surgical innovation, best known for her transformative work in telemedicine and minimally invasive surgery. Her research focuses on expanding access to advanced surgical care in rural and underserved communities, particularly through the integration of telementoring and telerobotic assistance. Her most-cited paper, "The role of telementoring and telerobotic assistance in the provision of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in rural areas" (2006, 103 citations), is a landmark study that demonstrated how remote expert guidance can safely enable complex laparoscopic procedures in settings lacking specialist surgeons. This work laid critical groundwork for modern tele-surgery networks, directly addressing disparities in surgical access. Beyond this, Dr. Hegge has contributed to colorectal surgery outcomes and surgical education, with her research influencing protocols for robotic-assisted techniques. Her achievements include pioneering the use of real-time remote mentoring for rural operating rooms, a model now adopted in multiple healthcare systems. With over a hundred citations on her seminal paper alone, Dr. Hegge’s legacy is one of bridging geographic gaps in healthcare, empowering rural surgeons, and advancing the frontier of telerobotic surgery—a vital contribution as telemedicine becomes increasingly central to global health equity.