Houston Methodist's New Bookout Center Explores Advances in Surgical Innovation

Houston Methodist Hospitals's newly created Bookout Center will partner with Rice University scientists as part of its mission to bring surgical innovation around the world.

More than 25 faculty members from Houston Methodist and Rice's Education and Research Initiatives for Collaborative Health (ENRICH) met recently to explore potential Bookout Center partnerships. The center was launched earlier this year to enhance the use of robotics and imaging in medicine.

"We're excited about the possibilities this collaboration brings," Dr. Stuart Corr, PhD, a professor of bioengineering in Cardiovascular Surgery at Houston Methodist and director of innovation engineering at The Bookout Center, said in a Rice press release. "By working together, we can accelerate discoveries that will improve patient experience and outcomes."

The meeting was held during a weeklong series of events that began with the Bookout Center's Symposium for Robotics, Imaging and Digital Health. A recording from the symposium, livestreamed from Houston Methodist's DeBakey CV Education Studio, is now available on DeBakey CV Education's YouTube channel.

The Bookout Center for Medical Innovation, Technology, Research and Education, established thanks to a gift from longtime supporters Ann and John F. Bookout III, provides surgical training to health care professionals at all levels and specialties in simulated, highly realistic environments using tools such as virtual reality, robotics, artificial intelligence and high-resolution imaging and diagnostics. It builds on the success of the Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation and Education (MITIE).

The ENRICH-Bookout Center partnership is the latest collaboration between Houston Methodist and Rice. The others include:

• The Center for Neural Systems Restoration (launched in January 2024) — a multidisciplinary center dedicated to discovering how the human brain processes perception, cognition and behavior and to finding novel solutions for brain and spinal cord diseases and injuries.
• The Center for Human Performance (launched in March 2022) — a center where physicians, academic researchers and university students work side by side with student athletes, trainers and coaches to advance research and education in human performance.

In addition, the two institutions have awarded more than $1 million in 2024 seed funding to six research projects partnering Rice and Houston Methodist professors. The projects aim to enhance human health and wellness, advance the understanding of diseases and foster innovative research opportunities.