The Future of Surgery: Robotics, AI, and the Next Generation of Physicians With Dr. Sanjeev Kumar | DMD #81
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar · April 30, 2026
Interview with Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
Podcast: Doctors Making A Difference
April 30, 2026 · 38 min
In this fascinating and forward-looking episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane welcomes Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist and leader in robotic surgery. Dr. Kumar shares his journey from a farming background in India to training…
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About Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
Leading Robotic Surgeon and Gynecologic Oncologist
#8 in U.S. Robotic gynecologic surgeon by volume (2017)285 Robotic procedures performed by Q3 20172024 Surgeon of Excellence in Robotic SurgeryMRCS Surgical training credential
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar is a gynecologic oncologist and robotic pelvic surgeon whose career has been defined by technical excellence, intellectual rigor, and a clear sense of purpose. Born in India, he completed medical school there, went on to train in England and Wales through the MRCS, and later continued his surgical education in the United States, ultimately building a career that placed him among the country’s leading figures in robotic pelvic surgery. That path reflects a career shaped by discipline, international training, and an enduring commitment to surgical mastery.
His work sits at the intersection of some of the most demanding questions in medicine: women’s cancers, advanced pelvic surgery, and the evolving role of robotics and AI in the operating room. He entered robotic surgery in 2006, early enough to help shape the field rather than merely follow it, and in 2017 was reported as the eighth busiest robotic pelvic surgeon in the United States by volume. That distinction matters not as a statistic, but as evidence of depth, repetition, and mastery in one of surgery’s most exacting specialties.
What sets Sanjeev apart is the authority of someone who works at the frontier without losing sight of complexity.
About this episode
In this fascinating and forward-looking episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane welcomesDr. Sanjeev Kumar, a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist and leader in robotic surgery.
Dr. Kumar shares his journey from a farming background in India to training in the UK and the United States, ultimately developing a highly specialized career in gynecologic oncology and robotic surgery. Guided by mentorship and a commitment to mastering a niche skill, he has positioned himself at the forefront of surgical innovation.
The conversation explores how robotic surgery has revolutionized patient care, allowing for greater precision, improved outcomes, and the ability to treat complex cases that were once considered inoperable. Dr. Kumar highlights key advantages, including enhanced visualization, nerve preservation, and dramatically reduced complications, especially in high-risk and obese patients.
The discussion then shifts to the future: the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, its integration into surgical systems, and the potential for telesurgery to expand access to care globally. This episode is a powerful look at where medicine is headed and a reminder that embracing innovation is key to shaping the future of healthcare.
Episode Highlights:
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar’s journey: from rural India to global surgical training in the UK and US
The importance of developing a niche skill and going deep in your field
How robotic surgery works, and clearing up common misconceptions
Advantages of robotic surgery: precision, magnification, and improved patient outcomes
Performing complex procedures like nerve-sparing cancer surgeries with better functional results
Transforming care for obese and high-risk patients with minimally invasive techniques
The evolution of robotic systems and increasing accessibility worldwide
The future of telesurgery and expanding care to underserved regions
How AI is being integrated into surgical data, training, and decision-making
Why AI will not replace physicians, but will change how they practice
Advice for medical students: embrace technology, adapt, and learn how to learn
Top 3 Takeaways:
Technology is a tool, not a replacement: AI and robotics enhance physician capabilities but cannot replace human judgment and care.
Specialization creates impact: Developing a unique skill set allows physicians to push boundaries and truly advance their field.
The future belongs to adaptable physicians: Those who embrace innovation and continuous learning will lead the next era of medicine.
About Dr. Sanjeev Kumar:
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar is a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist specializing in advanced robotic surgery. With training across India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, including fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. He has developed expertise in complex cancer surgeries and minimally invasive techniques. Passionate about innovation, Dr. Kumar is actively engaged in advancing robotic surgery and exploring the integration of artificial intelligence in surgical care.
linkedIn: Sanjeev Kumar MD
Website: https://www.drsanjeevkumarsurgeon.com
About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.
About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
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Guest: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
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