In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, keeping up with medical advancements is more than necessary—it’s a responsibility. As new surgical techniques and technologies emerge, efficient, realistic, and scalable training solutions become vital. Enter Osso VR, a groundbreaking platform changing how surgeons and medical professionals learn through the power of healthcare XR—extended reality explicitly designed for the medical field.
Founded in 2016, Osso VR is pioneering immersive technology in surgical training, offering hands-on practice in a virtual environment that mirrors the real operating room. This shift from traditional classroom learning to interactive digital experience is more engaging and far more effective.
Who Started Osso VR and Why?
The story of Osso VR begins with Dr Justin Barad, an orthopaedic surgeon with a background in engineering—and a lifelong love for video games. Dr. Barad saw a significant gap in how surgeons were trained, especially when new techniques or tools were introduced. While in medical school and residency, he experienced the difficulty of gaining practical, hands-on experience before operating on real patients.
Instead of accepting the status quo, he teamed up with Matthew Newport, an expert in VR development, and together they built Osso VR. Their vision was simple but bold: create a virtual reality platform where healthcare professionals could practice surgery safely, repeatedly, and on their schedule.
What Is Osso VR?
At its core, Osso VR is a healthcare XR training platform that provides immersive, virtual surgical simulations. It’s designed for medical professionals at all levels—students and residents to experienced surgeons—helping them learn and refine procedures in a realistic digital environment.
Here’s what makes Osso VR stand out:
- Realistic Surgical Simulations: Every module is designed to replicate real-life surgical procedures down to the smallest detail.
- Performance Feedback: Users receive clear, data-driven insights about their performance. It helps them improve their technique and accuracy.
- Remote Collaboration: Surgeons, educators, and device companies can train together from anywhere.
- Industry Partnerships: Medtech companies use Osso VR to demonstrate and teach new medical devices, ensuring smoother product adoption.
How Osso VR Is Changing Healthcare Training
The traditional method of surgical training involves shadowing experienced surgeons, attending lectures or practising on cadavers. While these methods have value, limited in access, scalability, and safety. Osso VR offers a modern alternative.
1. Better Patient Safety
When healthcare professionals can practice surgeries in a safe, and clened environment. They make fewer mistakes in the operating room, this leads to better outcomes for patients and higher confidence for surgeons.
2. Equal Access for All
Osso VR eliminates geographical barriers. Whether in a top-tier hospital or a smaller community clinic, you can access the same world-class training through a VR headset and internet connection.
3. Efficient Skill Building
Surgeons can learn and repeat procedures as often as needed—something that’s impossible with live training. This repetition builds muscle memory and sharpens decision-making.
4. A Tool for the Entire Ecosystem
The platform benefits surgeons and medical device companies, allowing them to introduce new tools with built-in training. This shortens the learning curve and speeds up adoption.
Osso VR in Numbers: Funding, Growth, and Impact
Osso VR isn’t just a promising idea—it’s a company with real traction. Since its launch. The startup has raised over $109 million in venture funding, supported by top investors like Kaiser Permanente and GSR Ventures.
The platform is now used in more than 20 countries, with healthcare institutions including Stanford Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, and the Hospital for Special Surgery adopting it into their curriculum or training programs.
While exact revenue numbers are private, Osso VR’s success is evident in its partnerships, global presence, and repeat use by hospitals and medtech firms.
What Is Healthcare XR and Why Does It Matter?
The term healthcare XR refers to the application of extended reality technologies—including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR)—in the medical field. This growing area of innovation is reshaping how healthcare professionals learn, plan, and execute procedures.
Osso VR stands out in the healthcare XR because it focuses on surgical training. The platform helps clinicians practice without risk by creating lifelike simulations, offering a safer, faster path to surgical proficiency.
Healthcare XR is no longer the future—it’s the present. From training new residents to onboarding experienced surgeons to new devices, XR solutions are becoming standard tools in modern medicine.
Recognitions and Real-world Testimonials
Osso VR’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. The company has received numerous awards, was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions, and was included among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.
Hospitals using Osso VR report measurable improvements of a 230% increase in surgical efficiency after implementing the platform. Meanwhile, medical schools report higher student engagement and skill retention when VR is used alongside traditional methods.
What the Future Holds
With a growing number of users and rapid improvements in XR hardware, Osso VR is just getting started. The global market for VR in healthcare is expected to reach over $46 billion by 2030, and Osso VR is positioned to be a leader in that space.
The company continues to innovate by adding new procedures, specialities, and interactive features to its training modules. As the demand for remote, scalable medical training increases, Osso VR’s platform becomes even more essential.
Why It Matters to Everyone
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a hospital administrator, a medical student, or part of a device company, Osso VR offers something of value. In a world where healthcare demands and patient expectations are rising, the need for better training is universal.
Osso VR’s use of healthcare XR represents more than just a new way to learn—it’s a smarter, safer, and more inclusive approach to preparing professionals for real-world medical challenges.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Surgical Training
Osso VR isn’t just teaching doctors how to operate—it’s redefining what medical training looks like. Through immersive simulations, real-time feedback, and unmatched accessibility, Osso VR sets a new healthcare education standard.
If the goal is better surgeons, safer patients, and more efficient healthcare systems, then platforms like Osso VR are not optional—they’re essential.
As healthcare XR continues to evolve, expect Osso VR to be at the forefront—empowering a new generation of medical professionals with the tools they need to succeed in a digital age.
