Advanced Surgical Procedural Innovation Research and Education Program (ASPIRE)

The Advanced Surgical Procedural Innovation Research and Education (ASPIRE) program within Seattle Children’s Department of Surgical Services is designed to drive advancements in surgical techniques, tools and practices, leading to safer and faster surgeries and ultimately improved patient outcomes.

ASPIRE integrates efforts in clinical excellence, research activities and the use of innovative technologies that aim to innovate surgical practices. ASPIRE fosters the exchange of ideas to enhance research and surgical practices across several specialties. This includes Heart Surgery, Dental, General Surgery, Transplant, Gynecology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Otolaryngology and Urology.

The goals of ASPIRE are to:

Advance surgical techniques and procedures: ASPIRE will pioneer innovative surgical techniques to enhance pediatric surgical care, improve outcomes, minimize invasiveness and expedite recovery.
Enhance medical education: ASPIRE will promote knowledge exchange, training and professional development in pediatric surgical care to ensure a highly skilled and diverse workforce.
Drive innovation in surgical tools and devices: ASPIRE will collaborate with engineers to develop state-of-the-art surgical tools tailored for pediatric patients, leveraging robotics, minimally invasive instruments and advanced imaging systems when available.
Promote collaborative research: ASPIRE will foster interdisciplinary research, encouraging collaboration among experts to address challenges in pediatric surgical care and translate discoveries into practical applications.

Surgeons at Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington can participate in ASPIRE and benefit from its offerings. ASPIRE supports our surgical faculty by providing:

Research support, such as research coordinators, biostatisticians and data analytics
Research funding opportunities
Education and training for residents and fellows
Access to innovative tools and resources in continuous improvement and innovation, such as simulation and 3D printing
Events such as the ASPIRE Simulation Summit and the ASPIRE Health Sciences Conference

Featured Research

Seattle Children’s Doctors Use 3D Printing to Help Train International Care Teams on Complex Surgery

Doctors at Seattle Children’s are now utilizing 3-D printed models created in the hospital’s Innovation Lab to train international care teams in a highly specialized procedure, known as a slide tracheoplasty, that improves airflow in a child’s obstructed airway.

How to Contact and Support Us

Donate

Donors help us drive advancements in surgical techniques, tools and practices, leading to safer and faster surgeries and ultimately improved patient outcomes. To ensure your gift goes directly to the ASPIRE Program, follow this link and in the field labeled “Direct my donation to,” select “Other” and write in “ASPIRE.”

To connect with the ASPIRE team, email us at ASPIRE@seattlechildrens.org.