Robotic General Surgery

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to a quiet hero of robotic surgery, Dr. Mark Hideki Kawachi.

He grew up in Southern California and graduated in 1971 from the University High School of Los Angeles. He did his schooling and training at the University of Southern California (BS in Biology, 1975; MD, 1979). He then completed Urology residency at USC in 1984 under the mentorship of Donald Skinner, MD. Dr. Kawachi first assumed practice in Southern California at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan as well as at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. He rose up to be director of urology at the Pacifica Hospital of the Valley and the medical director of the surgical services at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan. In 1990, he made a huge decision to return to academic medicine and completed a 2-year Urologic Oncology Fellowship at USC. After fellowship, he joined the City of Hope Cancer Center in 1992. There, along with Dr. Tim Wilson, he developed one of the best robotic urologic programs in the country, responsible for many advances in the field as well as training a whole generation of urologic surgeons. He became one of the busiest robotic surgeons in the nation and performed over 2500 cases. Many patients would fly from across the nation to be cared for by Dr. Kawachi. He also served as President of the Los Angeles Urological Society from 2002-2003. He was also one of the kindest and most thoughtful people. He always had the best interest of the patient, and the field of urology at heart. He cared very much about the urologic fellows and the young faculty. He was beloved by everyone he encountered from administrative staff, clinics, and the OR. Even though he was quiet by nature, he had a wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Sharon, two sons Kevin and Curtis, and his daughter Mackenzi Asai.

Dr. Kawachi will always be part of the history of robotic surgery. We continue to be inspired by him.

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