Students from the tri-state area gathered at Sacred Heart Greenwich to attend the second annual Operation Med School Conference November 9.  The conference included presentations from a keynote speaker, three interactive workshops, and a question-and-answer session. 

The conference’s purpose is to provide students interested in pursuing medicine a broader understanding of what it is like to go into a field of medicine.  Senior Alexa Choy, co-president of Operation Med School New York and co-head of the Upper School Pre-Med Club, believes that the conference exposes students to new opportunities. 

“I believe this conference is so beneficial because high school students lack access to knowledge and insight from those in the medical field,” Alexa said.  “It is important to become informed early so that we can make decisions about where we want to attend college or what we want to study.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Oren Tepper, a practicing plastic surgeon, spoke to students about his career in medicine and specifically his success separating twins conjoined at the head.  He also stressed the importance of technology in medicine, such as 3D printing and virtual reality, which he believes to be the future of medicine. 

“Medicine is collaborative and you want to stay innovative,” Dr. Tepper said.  

Afterward, students broke off into smaller groups to learn about specific fields of medicine in interactive workshops.  Each group alternated among Introduction of Radiology, Trauma 101, and the Suturing Lab.  At each station, a doctor of that respective field led interactive activities to prospective medical students. 

During the Introduction to Radiology workshop, students listened to Dr. Lauren Earnberg, a radiologist at Norwalk Hospital.  She spoke about the history of radiology, its impact, and how it helps patients.  She also taught the participants how to properly read different x-rays, mammograms, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to further their understanding of the field of radiology.

At the Trauma 101 station, attendees met Dr. Raquel Harrison, who works at the community-based emergency department at Bridgeport Hospital.  Dr. Harrison taught basic information on how to treat trauma, specifically for those with spinal injuries.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Geller conducted the Suturing Lab.  In this workshop, students practiced stitching wounds on sponges that were designed to simulate skin.