Students view open heart surgery - Advocate Christ Medical Center

More than 200 high school students had the opportunity to observe a live open heart surgery and interact with the surgical team during Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Live from the Heart Program on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Junior and seniors from Plainfield Central High School, Reavis High School and St. Rita High School watched, via high definition video conference, a coronary artery bypass surgery, led by Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Pat Pappas.

Clinicians provided step-by-step explanations of the procedure, while passing around samples of medical equipment used in the surgery. In addition, students also had the opportunity to speak directly with the working surgical team during the procedure.

Live from the Heart educates students about heart health and heart disease, studies anatomy, physiology and medical science and explores medical careers.

The Advocate Heart Institute at Christ Medical Center performs more than 1,300 open heart surgeries and 5,000 cardiac interventions each year.