Prof Senthil Nathan: A Global Pioneer Of Robotic Surgery
Prof Senthil Nathan
Professor & Chairman (Urology), Director (Robotic Surgery & Education), & Medical Director (Innovations)
Additionally, training is lengthy, and access to skilled surgeons is uneven globally. On the other hand, traditional surgeries often involve larger incisions, resulting in longer recovery times and higher risks.
In contrast AI powered robotic technologies offer greater consistency, precision, and potential for wider access to standardized, high-quality surgical care. One of the pioneers in Robotic Surgery and the most accomplished robotic surgeons in the world is Prof. Senthil Nathan, Professor & Chairman of Urology, Director of Robotic Surgery & Education, Medical Director of Innovations at Cleveland Clinic London, a super-specialist in urological cancer surgery and minimally invasive treatments with over three decades of experience.
Prof. Senthil is a Consultant Urological Surgeon and Honorary Associate Professor at University College London Hospital and University College London. As a pioneer in robotic surgery, he has performed over 35,000 operations in his career and described numerous pioneering surgical techniques. He leads robotic education and innovation at Cleveland Clinic London and chairs its Uro-oncology MDT. Trained in India and the UK, he helped develop the world’s first active robotic surgery system, Probot, earning an MPhil in Urology.
He holds fellowships and diplomas from prestigious institutions across Europe. He is also active in education, philanthropy, and professional societies, contributing signi- ficantly to surgical advancement and urological care. We are honored to have Senthil, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Urology, with us for an exclusive conversation.
What's your view on leveraging advanced technologies in healthcare decision making, investigations and treatment?
I strongly believe in leveraging digital technologies, including data analytics and artificial intelligence, to enhance patientcare. At Cleveland Clinic,
I’m currently developing a digital early warning system for post-operative patients. This system builds on our existing, validated nurse-led early warning protocols by integrating AI to compare its accuracy and effectiveness against manual inputs.
Our goal is for AI to eventually out perform manual monitoring, enabling us to track patients remotely in the community. This could significantly reduce the need for prolonged hospital stays solely for observation, easing the burden on healthcare systems globally. We are already testing specialized wearable devices designed and developed for patients undergoing surgery or medical treatments, which allow us to monitor their recovery outside the hospital. This project is progressing well, and we aim to complete it within the next six months. There are several other AI-related initiatives in diagnostics, pharma etc., underway.
How do you perceive your well-regarded role as a mentor and educator for medical students?
I’ve always been a passionate educator, mentoring students since the start of my medical career. I had been an active mentor at the University College of London for the Medical Students with nearly six mentees a year. Along with this, I am a national and international senior trainer and mentor in robotic surgery. My motto has always been to train juniors and peers to their strength and not make them do what you do.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been guiding young people as they explore career options. I strongly believe in giving students firsthand exposure to a career before they commit to a profession. For instance, I encourage those interested in medicine to shadow in a hospital or those leaning toward finance to spend time in a bank. Just a few weeks of real-world experience can offer valuable insight. I then ask them to imagine living that life five or ten years later, would it make them happy?
I insist to both students and parents that fulfillment and long-term success come from choosing a career aligned with one’s true interests and passion, as success in any career hinges on genuine interest and passion.
Could you share some insights about your leadership?
I consider myself a passive leader who focuses on recognizing and building upon my team's strengths. I prefer to lead from behind, encouraging and supporting those around me to rise and succeed. It's important for me to identify and nurture individuals with leadership potential, ensuring the team continues to grow even beyond my own role. I am
Our goal is for AI to eventually out perform manual monitoring, enabling us to track patients remotely in the community. This could significantly reduce the need for prolonged hospital stays solely for observation, easing the burden on healthcare systems globally. We are already testing specialized wearable devices designed and developed for patients undergoing surgery or medical treatments, which allow us to monitor their recovery outside the hospital. This project is progressing well, and we aim to complete it within the next six months. There are several other AI-related initiatives in diagnostics, pharma etc., underway.
Success in any career hinges on genuine interest and passion, and even the best can become better
How do you perceive your well-regarded role as a mentor and educator for medical students?
I’ve always been a passionate educator, mentoring students since the start of my medical career. I had been an active mentor at the University College of London for the Medical Students with nearly six mentees a year. Along with this, I am a national and international senior trainer and mentor in robotic surgery. My motto has always been to train juniors and peers to their strength and not make them do what you do.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been guiding young people as they explore career options. I strongly believe in giving students firsthand exposure to a career before they commit to a profession. For instance, I encourage those interested in medicine to shadow in a hospital or those leaning toward finance to spend time in a bank. Just a few weeks of real-world experience can offer valuable insight. I then ask them to imagine living that life five or ten years later, would it make them happy?
I insist to both students and parents that fulfillment and long-term success come from choosing a career aligned with one’s true interests and passion, as success in any career hinges on genuine interest and passion.
Could you share some insights about your leadership?
I consider myself a passive leader who focuses on recognizing and building upon my team's strengths. I prefer to lead from behind, encouraging and supporting those around me to rise and succeed. It's important for me to identify and nurture individuals with leadership potential, ensuring the team continues to grow even beyond my own role. I am
passionate about equality and diversity and strive to imbibe the culture into my team.
From my early school days to my current role, I've consistently found myself in leadership positions. In 2023, I received the GG2 Diversity and Leadership Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medicine. I truly believe my success stems from a strong commitment to teambuilding, as only cohesive, empowered teams can truly win. I believe individuals only succeed but only teams will win.
What is the future destination you envision? Also, what would be your advice to budding healthcare leaders?
We launched this clinic in London just three years ago with a goal to grow it into a leading and highly successful institution. Our mission is to make the urology department stand out as one of the finest in the world, delivering the most advanced technologies and global innovations directly to our patients.
My advice to budding leaders is that building trust among the team is quint essential. It fosters open dialogue, collaboration, and the freedom to express ideas without fear. This foundation creates truly exceptional teams. These leadership principles, namely inclusivity, trust, and empowerment, must be cultivated from the very beginning and strengthened continuously throughout one’s leadership journey.
Prof Senthil Nathan, Professor & Chairman (Urology), Director (Robotic Surgery & Education)& Medical Director (Inno-vations), Cleveland Clinic
Along with colleagues from The Imperial College, Prof. Senthil developed The Probot and carried out the first true robotic surgery in the world. Towards this, he was awarded an MPhil in Urology by the University of London. He further gained a fellowship from the European Board of Urology and a diploma in laparoscopy from the University of Strasbourg. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Urology. Recognized as an accomplished robotic surgeon worldwide, Prof. Senthil is a Trustee of the SNJ Educational & Charitable Trust, Managing Trustee of the SNJ Education Fund, President of the Government Aided Secondary School, Venkatachalapuram, India, Honorary Advisor to the N Sethia Foundation and former Trustee of the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.
•Hobbies: Traveling, tennis, and socializing
•Favorite Cui-sine: Indian -(Biryani)
•Favorite Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
•Favorite Travel Destination: Switzerland
•Awards and Recognition:
•University Gold Medal
•GG2 Diversity and Leadership Award for Outstanding Achi - evement in Medicine in 2023
From my early school days to my current role, I've consistently found myself in leadership positions. In 2023, I received the GG2 Diversity and Leadership Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medicine. I truly believe my success stems from a strong commitment to teambuilding, as only cohesive, empowered teams can truly win. I believe individuals only succeed but only teams will win.
What is the future destination you envision? Also, what would be your advice to budding healthcare leaders?
We launched this clinic in London just three years ago with a goal to grow it into a leading and highly successful institution. Our mission is to make the urology department stand out as one of the finest in the world, delivering the most advanced technologies and global innovations directly to our patients.
My advice to budding leaders is that building trust among the team is quint essential. It fosters open dialogue, collaboration, and the freedom to express ideas without fear. This foundation creates truly exceptional teams. These leadership principles, namely inclusivity, trust, and empowerment, must be cultivated from the very beginning and strengthened continuously throughout one’s leadership journey.
Prof Senthil Nathan, Professor & Chairman (Urology), Director (Robotic Surgery & Education)& Medical Director (Inno-vations), Cleveland Clinic
Along with colleagues from The Imperial College, Prof. Senthil developed The Probot and carried out the first true robotic surgery in the world. Towards this, he was awarded an MPhil in Urology by the University of London. He further gained a fellowship from the European Board of Urology and a diploma in laparoscopy from the University of Strasbourg. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Urology. Recognized as an accomplished robotic surgeon worldwide, Prof. Senthil is a Trustee of the SNJ Educational & Charitable Trust, Managing Trustee of the SNJ Education Fund, President of the Government Aided Secondary School, Venkatachalapuram, India, Honorary Advisor to the N Sethia Foundation and former Trustee of the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.
•Hobbies: Traveling, tennis, and socializing
•Favorite Cui-sine: Indian -(Biryani)
•Favorite Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
•Favorite Travel Destination: Switzerland
•Awards and Recognition:
•University Gold Medal
•GG2 Diversity and Leadership Award for Outstanding Achi - evement in Medicine in 2023