Rural Hospital Installs Holograph Machine So Doctors Can Appear From Elsewhere

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Holographic Doctors Bring Specialist Care to Rural Hospitals

Doctor out of town? No problem — they can be beamed in as a 3D image.

Rural Hospital Installs Holograph Machine So Doctors Can Appear From Elsewhere Crescent Regional Hospital outside Dallas, Texas, has become the first in the country to offer doctor appointments with a holographic machine. This technology enables overworked medical specialists — who often travel between multiple centers in a single week or even a single day — to reach more patients efficiently.

The system also transforms ordinary telehealth visits into more lifelike and engaging experiences, though nothing replaces an in-person consultation.

Realistic 3D Presence Without True Holographic Projection

“I can see the three dimensions of the anesthesiologist’s head, legs, and torso in lifelike detail,” wrote journalist Mark Dent after his holographic appointment, in an article for Texas Monthly magazine. “Only the background — a white void — reveals she’s not with us.”

The device, called Holobox and developed by the Dutch startup Holoconnect, resembles an oversized vending machine. It functions as a large booth that displays a life-sized image of a remote physician.

Rural Hospital Installs Holograph Machine So Doctors Can Appear From Elsewhere The effect is achieved with a transparent LCD screen housed behind anti-glare glass. Rather than projecting a floating 3D image into open space, the setup creates a convincing illusion of depth and presence.

Improved Patient Engagement and Faster Care

Although it falls short of the “Star Wars” fantasy of projecting a person across the room, the result is remarkably effective. Dr. Olayinka Adepitan, the anesthesiologist interviewed by Texas Monthly, described the technology as a “game changer.” She noted that patients remained more attentive during Holobox sessions than during standard video calls.

“The longer we talk, the more I forget that in reality Adepitan is at a clinic in Farmers Branch, about thirty miles north,” Dent observed.

Crescent Regional Hospital currently uses the Holobox for pre- and post-operative consultations. Dr. Adepitan explained that the system allows her to discharge patients more quickly than if she had to travel to the facility, a trip she makes only twice a week.

She simply goes to her usual nearby clinic, sits before a camera and white backdrop, and appears remotely. Patients are examined on-site by a local nurse while she watches on a monitor.

Addressing Rural Healthcare Shortages

Rural Hospital Installs Holograph Machine So Doctors Can Appear From Elsewhere Rural communities across the United States continue to face chronic shortages of medical professionals. Rural Texas alone has experienced dozens of hospital closures over the past decade. While enthusiasm is growing for telehealth solutions of all kinds, experts caution that technology alone cannot solve every challenge.

“We see telehealth as a very important innovation for rural communities,” John Henderson, CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, told Texas Monthly. “We do not see it as a silver bullet.”

Investment and Long-Term Value

The Holobox carries a significant price tag: $65,000 upfront plus $1,200 per month in maintenance. Nevertheless, hospital CEO Raji Kumar believes the investment can help rural facilities retain patients who might otherwise travel elsewhere for access to top specialists.