Future doctors, surgeons and nurses from
Darnell-Cookman's tenth-grade anatomy and physiology class filled the lab of Medtronic ENT for a hands-on anatomical learning experience. After finishing their neuro-anatomy lessons at school, students were treated to this special trip to further their studies.
The students were enthralled in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as they viewed a 3D neuro-anatomy lecture, and used Medtronic's medical equipment to practice surgical approaches to the brain. The trip was capped off as neurosurgeons met with the students for a detailed lesson about the brain's anatomy using actual preserved brain specimens.
Robb Lockerman, Darnell-Cookman's anatomy and physiology teacher, couldn't have been more excited to see his students taking initiative in the lab. He even joined them as they extracted the insides of a grapefruit with a microdebrider, a similar task that is performed during brain surgeries.
"This is a group of students who truly want to be here, getting this early experience of what medical school will be like," said Mr. Lockerman. "I hope other students become aware of the fantastic medical program we offer at Darnell-Cookman and want to get involved."
The Medtronic staff was equally energized to see the eagerness of these high school students. Medtronic has basically "adopted" the sophomore class at Darnell-Cookman each year as they provide two hands-on sessions to the students.
"We have a great opportunity here to teach our future surgeons and inspire them," said Dr. Baris Kucukyuruk, a neurosurgeon. "The students know the material about the brain better than I expected. They are already at the level of many first-year medical students."
Medtronic ENT is a Discovery Lab for preeminent cadaver training. The lab provides doctors and students with training on the new sinus and temporal bone methods using the latest surgical equipment. The Medtronic Discovery Lab has trained nearly 1,500 surgeons and medical professionals.
To view pictures from this visit to Medtronic ENT, visit the
DCPS' flickr photostream.
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