Surgical Practice AI Research Community (SPARC)
Collaborating for safe, efficient and cost-effective AI implementation in surgery
About us
The Surgical Practice AI Research Community (SPARC) is a multi-institutional community connecting surgeons, computer scientists, informaticists, ethicists, health services researchers, implementation scientists, and any other stakeholders involved in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Our aim is to foster a welcoming community dedicated to ensuring AI is implemented in healthcare safely, efficiently and sustainably to benefit providers and patients.
SPARC is committed to increasing knowledge and awareness of AI applications, addressing implementation challenges, and exploring future directions of AI in surgery. We believe that a true understanding of the field will empower surgical professionals to make informed decisions about when to embrace AI innovations and when critical evaluation is necessary.
SPARC holds monthly hybrid seminars at the Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy (CHOP). These seminars typically take place on the second and/or fourth Friday of the month at either 11 AM EST or 12 PM EST. We host experts who break down complex topics or share their work on new innovations in the field.
Katherine Khosrovaneh, senior data architect at CHOP, leads a python workshop every other Tuesday at 10 AM EST. These applied technical sessions are designed to help participants build essential skills for advancing AI implementation in surgery, such as coding and machine learning model development.
Annals of Surgery
SPARC collaborates with Annals of Surgery to host quarterly virtual seminars featuring leading faculty conducting AI research in surgery. These sessions are open to anyone. Following each talk, a corresponding perspective piece is published in the journal for a deeper exploration of each topic. We had our first inaugural speaker in February 2026, Dr. Tyler Loftus, an acute care surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Florida. Check back soon to get the link to read his perspective piece!
ACS Clinical Congress Annual Surgical AI Reception ACS Clinical Congress Annual Surgical AI Reception
Hosted in collaboration with SPARC, the AMIA Surgical and Procedural Informatics Working Group, the ACS Health Information Technology Committee, and the SAGES Artificial Intelligence Task Force, this reception brings together faculty, residents, and students to support meaningful connections and collaborations. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this form to provide your email https://forms.gle/rDMD72ThXEwgRnJr8!
WiSOR at University of Wisconsin-Madison
CHOP at the University of Michigan and the Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program (WiSOR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Drs. Nabeel Zafar and Ben Zarzaur have established a strategic partnership to facilitate shared learning sessions between our institutions.
We welcome other institutions to join our network to establish robust channels of communication and accelerate progress in surgical AI research across the broader academic community. Please contact Natalie Guzman ([email protected]) if your institution is interested in collaborating with SPARC!
Other Collaborations
Please check back regularly, we have other exciting collaborations and networking opportunities that will be added soon. To receive updates on these opportunities and events, please sign up for our mailing list.
SPARC Seminars and Visiting Professor Series
SPARC seminars and visiting professor series are paused for the summer and will resume in August. Please check back later this summer for information on Fall 2026 speakers!
Previous Speakers
Dr. Anai Kothari, Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Nabeel Zafar, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Jenna Wiens, University of Michigan
Dr. Christopher Tignanelli, University of Minnesota
Dr. Michael Mathis, University of Michigan
Dr. Andrew Wong, University of Michigan
Dr. Daniel Hashimoto, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Tyler Loftus, University of Florida
Dr. Andrew Krumm, University of Michigan
Getting Involved
If you are interested in getting involved and would like to receive updates and invitations for SPARC sessions and events, please fill out this form.
You are welcome to get involved regardless of institution or career stage! If you have additional questions or ideas for collaboration, please reach out to Natalie Guzman ([email protected]).
Leadership
Co-Directors
Natalie Guzman
Raymond A Jean, MD, MHS
Medical School
Jayson Marwaha, MD, MSc
Sponsors
Justin B Dimick, MD, MPH
Professor of Surgery
Chair, Department of Surgery, Medical School
Professor of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health
Dana Telem, MD, MPH
Associate Chair, Department of Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Section Head, Surgery
Service Chief, Medical School
Pasithorn Amy Suwanabol, MD, MS, FACS, FASCRS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Medical School
Andrew M Ibrahim, MD, MSc
Associate Professor of Surgery
Associate Chair, Department of Surgery, Medical School
Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning, A Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
