Sharp HealthCare Launches Spatial Computing Center of Excellence Featuring Apple Vision Pro

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To bring the benefits of spatial computing to the field of medicine, Sharp HealthCare announced the creation of the Spatial Computing Center of Excellence, which will convene clinicians and technologists to establish new ways to enhance patient care using the newly launched Apple Vision Pro. Apple Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences.

Sharp is launching this endeavor founded on collaboration with Epic (Sharp's EHR vendor) and Elsevier, among others. Jointly, they will investigate how spatial computing will enhance effectiveness, productivity, collaboration, education and treatments across a wide range of specialties and clinical roles, from the doctor's office and operating room to bedside care and caregiver education.

"Using Apple Vision Pro, you can immediately imagine the amazing and far-reaching implications of this technology for the practice and delivery of medicine," said Chris Howard, president and chief executive of Sharp HealthCare, one of California's largest integrated health systems. "Sharp has long been committed to transforming the health care experience, and Vision Pro is indeed a game changer, so much so that we created a center of excellence dedicated to this effort."

The most significant initiative to date to come from the Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center, which opened its doors last year, the Spatial Computing Center of Excellence brings together a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, informaticists, analysts, software developers, digital experience product managers and end-user device architects who will work with external partners to develop, test and deploy innovative solutions at Sharp and across the health care industry. 

"Apple Vision Pro represents a paradigm shift and a quantum leap forward for technology to empower clinicians and other health care professionals," said Michael Reagin, Sharp's senior vice president and chief information and innovation officer. "I am excited to see how the Spatial Computing Center of Excellence will bring this to benefit our mission: to be the best place to work, the best place to practice medicine and the best place to receive care."

"Spatial computing will fundamentally change how doctors practice medicine," said Tommy Korn, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group. "As we continue to explore the opportunities for applications on Apple Vision Pro, it will enable surgeons like me to transcend the limitations of traditional care, enhancing the safety and precision for our patients like never before. This marks the dawn of an era where health care finally leads the way in digital transformation. The future is here."

About Sharp HealthCare

Sharp HealthCare, San Diego's largest and most comprehensive health care delivery system, is recognized for clinical excellence in cardiac, cancer, multi-organ transplantation, orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, women's health, home health and hospice services. Sharp HealthCare has been widely acclaimed for its commitment to transform the health care experience for patients, physicians and staff through an organization-wide performance improvement initiative called The Sharp Experience. The Sharp HealthCare system includes four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, three affiliated medical groups, a health plan and numerous outpatient facilities and programs, including the Sharp Prebys Innovation & Education Center. To learn more about Sharp, visit Sharp Health News. 

SOURCE Sharp HealthCare