About Carla

Dr. Carla Pugh is a leading surgeon and a revolutionary figure in medical education. Her career is dedicated to improving how doctors learn crucial haptic skills—the ability to diagnose or assess a patient using their sense of touch and feel. She believes this fundamental skill, used for procedures like checking for lumps or repairing a hernia, must be measured and taught with clear, objective feedback, just like other parts of clinical practice. In her research, Carla brings this innovative vision to life by creating highly realistic patient models. She cleverly designs these training tools using surprising, low-cost materials, like lentils or badminton birdies, and combines them with advanced sensors and computer software. This technology records data on a student’s hand pressure, speed, and technique, turning a normally subjective skill into measurable information. This process allows students to receive precise feedback on how to master their physical examination skills before they ever treat a real person. Carla is currently a Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and directs the Technology Enabled Clinical Education Center. Her groundbreaking contributions to the field of surgical simulation and education earned her the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.