Surgery Live! Program Inspires Next Generation of Health Care Workers
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, UPMC, and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation are partnering to develop the next generation of health care professionals through the Surgery Live! program. The initiative connects middle and high school students to UPMC operating rooms through interactive high-definition video conferencing technology.
More than 25 school districts from more than 20 Pennsylvania and Maryland counties will participate virtually or in-person as a facilitator guides students’ discussion with operating room staff, demonstrates surgical instruments used in the operation, and explains factors that cause disease and contribute to conditions that place patients on the operating table.
The program then transitions live to the operating room where students see and hear the surgical teams. The surgeon explains each step of the procedure and the students can ask questions during the program.
“At Whitaker Center, we believe in the power of immersive, hands-on experiences to inspire the next generation of professionals,” said Mary Oliveira, president and CEO, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. “Surgery Live! gives students an unprecedented opportunity to step into the world of modern medicine, sparking curiosity and a passion for healthcare careers both inside and out of the operating room. By partnering with UPMC, we are shaping the future ofmedicine, one student at a time.”
Whitaker Center estimates that more than 2,000 students will have witnessed a live surgerythrough Surgery Live! by the time the 2024-2025 academic year concludes in June. By the beginning of summer, seven UPMC surgeons will have demonstrated four different types ofsurgery – some robotic assisted – including heart procedures, hysterectomies and gastrointestinal procedures.
“UPMC employs some of the brightest surgeons and health care staff in our region and we’re proud to demonstrate our excellence in patient care while simultaneously inspiring the nextgeneration of health care workers,” said Elizabeth Ritter, president, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Community Osteopathic, UPMC West Shore, and UPMC Carlisle. “Through Surgery Live!, students can witness how we treat some of the chronic diseases that members of our community face.”
Whitaker Center also offers an extension experience for students and educators that attend Surgery Live! in person. This innovative program occurs directly following the procedure where students dive into hands-on, interactive activities that reinforce and enrich their knowledge from the procedure seen earlier that morning.
Photo cutlines:
A UPMC staff member demonstrates surgical equipment to students from Hempfield High School as part of the Surgery Live! extension activities.
Students from Hempfield High School attempt to intubate a mannequin during a Surgery Live!extension activity.
Dr. Gerald Harkins, UPMC minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, addresses students from multiple area school districts before beginning a surgery.
Interviewees:
First – Pamela Keller, nurse practitioner and Surgery Live! moderator, UPMC Magee Womens
Second – Kristin James, education and science center manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
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About UPMC
UPMC is a world-renowned, nonprofit health care provider and insurer committed to delivering exceptional, people-centered care and community services. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC is shaping the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research, and education. Dedicated to advancing the well-being of our diverse communities, we provide nearly $2 billion annually in community benefits, more than any other health system in Pennsylvania. Our 100,000 employees — including more than 5,000 physicians — care for patients across more than 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient sites in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, as well as overseas. UPMC Insurance Services covers more than 4 million members, providing the highest-quality care at the most affordable price. To learn more, visit UPMC.com
About Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is a non-profit center dedicated to arts, education, entertainment, and cultural enrichment. Located in the heart of Harrisburg's vibrant downtown, Whitaker Center offers a range of attractions, including the PNC Innovation Zone, Sunoco Performance Theater, UPMC Science Center, STEM Design Studios, and Select Medical Digital Cinema. For a comprehensive list of events, shows, hours of operation, and ticket rates, please visit whitakercenter.org.
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