Lakeland, Panas Students Learn Real Life Applications of Robotic Technology

Fifty students from the robotics classes at Lakeland HS and Walter Panas HS got to experience a real-life application of what they are learning when they traveled to Phelps Hospital-Northwell Health to see their new robotics surgery device this week.

“This was a great opportunity for the students got a chance to see how a device that is on the cutting-edge of medical technology works,” explained Director of Science Patricia Viggiano. The students each got a chance to sit at the controls and do a sample training activity. There were two surgeons available to discuss the surgical robot, the procedures, and what goes into getting a device like this into a hospital.

The students also visited the Emergency Education Center where they saw the most advanced training equipment for CPR and emergency situations. They also were able to ask questions about careers in medicine.

The hospital extended the opportunity to see the new technology before its implementation in actual surgery. “This technology is prototypical of what is to come in healthcare. Its emergence demonstrates an intersection of clinical medicine with technology, computer science, engineering and entrepreneurial business,” according to the hospital. Once launched, the hospital explained, it will in a restricted, sterile operating room environment and not accessible to the general public.

Robotics teachers, Charlene Nigro and Jason Marrero, joined the students at Phelps.