The LHS Anatomy and Physiology classes virtually attended a live-streamed kidney transplant hosted by the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center of Livingston, New Jersey, on Feb. 8. In the surgery, a 19-year-old male was receiving a healthy kidney from his 39-year-old father, and LHS students viewed the transplant in real-time over Webex in the new Innovation Center of the Alice Bresnihan Wing.

The procedure was performed by Stuart R. Geffner, who is considered to be one of the “most experienced transplant surgeons in the United States,” according to the Medical Center’s website. He has completed over 3,000 renal transplants and living donor surgeries as Director of Transplant Surgery for the Division of Renal and Pancreas Transplant at the Medical Center.  Geffner was accompanied by Dr. Sun, surgical resident Dr. Jin, scrub nurse Dunne, circulating nurse Nico, anesthesiologist Dr. Patera, and audio-visual technicians Jay and Scott. 

Anatomy and Physiology teacher Jon Zaccaro, along with the LHS technology department, worked hard to coordinate surgeries for the students to get true exposure to the human body and medical practices. 

Zaccaro said, “I think live surgery is very influential for students that have an interest in medicine and may not realize what they are getting into.” The medical field is demanding, and it is certainly meant for strong-willed – and strong-stomached – individuals. “I also absolutely love hearing a student who was unsure of their path in medicine suddenly get excited and more interested in pursuing this career after viewing the event,” Zaccaro added. 

The new LHS Innovation Center was put to good use to present this live surgery. With the entire technology department on their toes, the surgery was successfully streamed. “The Innovation Center has great potential,” Zaccaro said. “Once we work out the kinks and get the full room microphones with motion cameras working correctly (and hopefully more comfortable seating) I think it will be ideal.” The live surgeries are certainly a one-of-a-kind learning experiences that could not take place in a normal classroom.     

Anatomy and Physiology students who were given the opportunity to view the surgery found it to be an amazing experience. “The surgery was great,” said senior Victoria Martorano. “I am interested in pursuing a career in STEM or in the medical field, so getting real life exposure was definitely important to me.” 

Students also expressed that watching the procedure was inspiring, as it showed science’s ability to save lives. Senior Amintta Ragavanis said, “I thought the live surgery was very interesting. It was a great opportunity for all of us to see.”        

When asked his favorite part of the surgery, Zaccaro exclaimed, “I love it all, but I think what I love the most is the precision in which these doctors and nurses operate in a very imprecise environment. The inside of the human body is a lot messier than our textbooks show, and I love how the team basically has to discover what they are looking for and evaluate the situation all over again once they get in there.” 

Students who have an interest in the medical field, but who are not enrolled in Zaccaro’s Anatomy and Physiology class, can join LHS’s Future Doctors of America club. Next week, the club is speaking virtually with medical school professors about the pre-med path. Do not miss it… it is going to be sick!