How Digital Twin Tech for Emergency Response Helps First Responders Save Lives with Dr. Maria Bell

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick speaks with Dr. Maria Bell, CEO and Founder of Digital Twin Imaging. Dr. Maria Bell shares her journey from growing up in rural South Dakota to becoming a leading cancer surgeon, robotics pioneer, and tech entrepreneur. The conversation explores how her experience in medicine and robotic surgery led her to launch a company focused on digital twin technology for public safety, emergency response, and building intelligence. Dr. Maria Bell explains how 3D imaging and digital models can help first responders, schools, and government agencies improve safety, planning, and communication.Dr. Maria Bell is a gynecologic oncologist, researcher, entrepreneur, and Founder of Digital Twin Imaging. She has over 70 peer-review publications and was among the early adopters of robotic surgery in cancer care. Alongside her medical career, she built a technology company focused on creating digital twin models for schools, public safety agencies, and infrastructure projects. Her work combines healthcare, robotics, AI, and spatial technology to improve emergency response and operational decision making.Expect to Learn:How Dr. Maria Bell’s early passion for science led her into medicine and cancer care.Why robotic surgery became a major breakthrough for both surgeons and patients.How Digital Twin Imaging was inspired during the pandemic and evolved into a public safety company.The role 3D digital models can play in helping first responders and schools improve emergency response.What it is like leading a modern tech startup while balancing a long medical career.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Teaser[01:06] – Welcome & Introduction of Dr. Maria Bell[04:52] – Returning to South Dakota in 2000, embracing robotic surgery[08:29] – Shorter hospital stays, lower costs, faster return to work for patients[13:01] – Noticing no medical services in the metaverse – idea for adolescent psychology clinic[18:01] – Uvalde shooting prompts pivot to public safety for K‑12 schools[25:32] – Leadership differences: surgeon vs. Gen Z tech employees[31:34] – Listening to first responders to drive product development[34:05] – FCC mandate for Z‑axis accuracy – DT Imaging’s advantage[36:12] – Closing remarks🔗 Connect with the Guest, Dr. Maria Bell:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-bell-md/👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-twin-imaging/👉 Company’s Website: https://www.dtisim.com/🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/🔗 More from Choinque:👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque👉 X: https://x.com/choinque👉 Email: [email protected]🔗 More about Leadership Courses: 👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/🔗 Follow the Podcast:👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ