University Of Illinois Medical Center — Changing medicine. For good.

CHICAGO, June 12, 2009 - Pier C. Giulianotti, M.D., Distinguished Lloyd M. Nyhus Chair in Surgery, Professor and Chief, Division of General, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), was recognized in Fast Company magazine's June edition as one of one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. Dr. Giulianotti was lauded for his efforts in revolutionizing robotic surgery as well as for instigating conversations to create an operating room of the future, which envelops forward-thinking and cutting edge technologies.

"Creativity cannot be reduced to a formula," says Fast Company editor Robert Safian. "There will no doubt be controversy over how we ended up with these 100 individuals. Taken in its entirety, it's a snapshot of the range and depth of creativity across our business landscape - a remarkable and perhaps surprising source of strength in these times of turmoil."

Widely considered as one of the world's leading robotic surgeons, Dr. Giulianotti showcased his efforts using robotic technology at a recent event Fast Company hosted in New York City. He is committed to perfecting instruments like the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System to advance the practice of general, thoracic general abdominal surgeries.

The director of the Italian National School of Robotic Surgery and a founder of the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA), Dr. Giulianotti has performed almost 1,000 minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures.

"To be included among such esteemed innovators in technology and business is certainly an honor," noted Dr. Giulianotti. "We are entering uncharted territory to literally change the face of how surgery is performed. Here at UIC, we see a revolution taking place, and we want to do everything possible to be at the forefront of this change."