HSS Partners with Perry Initiative to Host Hands-On Workshop for High Schoolers Aspiring to be Doctors or Engineers

High school students considering careers in medicine or engineering enthusiastically participated in an immersive workshop organized by the Perry Initiative and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) this month. The Upper East Side hospital welcomed 20 students from the New York tri-state area to the day-long event to introduce them to the field of orthopedic surgery.

They participated through the Perry Initiative's Perry Outreach Program. "The goal of our program is to introduce students to all the exciting careers in orthopedics on both the surgical and engineering sides," explained Amelia Knarr, PhD, executive director of the Perry Initiative. "Students get a real hands-on feel for the different types of procedures in orthopedics and also get to hear from successful surgeons and engineers. This benefits the students by showing them they are wanted, welcome, and capable of joining this exciting field."

Under the guidance of HSS physicians, students participated in hands-on activities using plastic replicas of bones and tools of the trade such as drills and casts. They learned techniques that orthopedic surgeons use to repair broken bones, fix torn ligaments, apply a cast and suture a wound.

"The activities highlighted various biomechanical principles in orthopedics, demonstrating the integration of engineering in this field," said Jessica Heyer, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at HSS and event organizer. "They were excited to use orthopedic tools and enjoyed casting each other and learning how to suture."

In addition to hands-on learning, the students attended lectures to get an idea of what it takes to become an engineer or an orthopedic surgeon and what their jobs are like on a day-to-day basis. "The students demonstrated great enthusiasm, asking thoughtful questions," Dr. Heyer said.

"I learned how to use a drill today, and then we drilled a bunch of screws into different bone models," said Lina Bernatska, a junior at Staten Island Technical School, who gave the event a thumbs up. "It really inspired me as a woman to want to go into these fields where women are underrepresented, and it's so refreshing to see all these educated young women tell their stories and tell us about their journeys…to get to where they are in life."

Her classmate, Ava Glatman, said it was cool to learn about different orthopedic procedures, such as total knee replacements, and how to fix a broken ankle. Reflecting on the event, she said, "I think it's really meaningful, especially understanding that this is such an underrepresented field for women. Being able to see so many women that have succeeded in their field is really inspiring and motivates me to do something like that in the future."

Students from high schools in New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut attended, including Bernards High School, Bronx High School of Science, Concord-Carlisle High School, Fairlawn High School, High School For Health Professions & Human Services, Newtown High School, Pascack Valley High School, Ridgefield High School, Saint Francis Preparatory School, Staten Island Technical School, Toms River High School South, Tottenville High School, University Heights Secondary School, Urban Assembly for Leadership and Empowerment.