CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 26, 2025 — The world of surgical innovation reached a new milestone on Friday, Sept. 19, as IRCAD North America (IRCAD NA) officially opened its doors at Atrium Health’s innovation district, The Pearl, in Charlotte. The grand opening celebration brought together more than 450 guests, including leaders in medicine, technology, research and education, as well as industry partners and dignitaries from across the United States and around the globe.
Founded in Strasbourg, France, IRCAD is recognized as an international leader in minimally invasive surgery, robotics and digital health education for training and research. For over 30 years, IRCAD France has trained tens of thousands of international surgeons, pioneering new techniques and technologies that have transformed patient care. IRCAD currently has training centers in Brazil, China, India, Lebanon, Rwanda and Taiwan.
Establishing a North American headquarters for IRCAD in Charlotte was a vision shared by Advocate Health leaders Eugene A. Woods, CEO; Dr. Rasu Shrestha, chief innovation and commercialization officer; and Dr. Brent Matthews, chair of surgery — as well as IRCAD leaders Professor Jacques Marescaux, IRCAD founder and president; Professor Dionisios Vrochides, executive director of IRCAD NA; and Professor Nicolas Demartines, historical expert of IRCAD France and IRCAD NA board member.
The fulfillment of this vision was made possible thanks to the city’s vibrant health care ecosystem, the investment by Atrium Health, which is part of Advocate Health, and the collaborative and familial spirit of The Pearl.
As Marescaux shared during the celebration: “Today, the leaders of all IRCADs around the world stand here with us in Charlotte, underlining the historic importance of this moment … But why here in Charlotte? Of course, because your city is amazing. Yet, as always, the main reason was human trust. Trust is the most important catalyst for transformation. So, let the journey begin.”
Woods captured the spirit of the evening and the ambition behind IRCAD NA’s launch: “Tonight, as we stand at the threshold of this new chapter — in this place built not just of wood, steel and glass, but of dreams and determination — my ask is this: Bring your biggest dreams. Bring your boldest ideas. Bring your unwavering belief that the future of medicine can be rewritten by us together. Through the partnerships we are forging, we are making breakthroughs and impacting countless lives.”
Vrochides also shared that IRCAD NA will, “… fully incorporate the three pillars of IRCAD’s essence, as envisioned by IRCAD’s founder, Professor Jacques Marescaux, over 30 years ago: relentless excellence, disruptive innovation and comradery elevated to a ‘feeling-like-family’ level.”
The evening also featured a stirring performance by the Charlotte Symphony and remarks from strategic partners of IRCAD NA who will have a strong presence at The Pearl, including Stryker, Siemens Healthineers, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific.
The grand opening of IRCAD NA marks not just the launch of a world-class center for surgical training and research, but a new era of global partnership and innovation — where the boundaries of medicine are reimagined, and the future of healthcare is shaped by collaboration, creativity and a shared commitment to excellence.
About IRCAD North America
IRCAD North America is a state-of-the-art surgical training and research center in Charlotte, N.C., dedicated to advancing minimally invasive and robotic surgery. As the newest branch of the globally renowned IRCAD network, we bring world-class expertise, innovative technology, and hands-on training to surgeons and healthcare professionals across the world. Our strategic collaborations with leading industry partners, institutions, and professional societies drive meaningful advancements in healthcare, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We will shape the future of surgery.
As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, IRCAD North America empowers local, national, and international investigators to perform and excel in rapid cycle research and development, minimizing the time medical innovation takes to move from bench to bedside. Patient outcomes will improve worldwide as our attendees take their experiences back to their home institutions. To learn more, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Health Care, Atrium Health and Aurora Health Care. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.