The Virtual Surgery Insider (VSI) Project

WHAT:    The Virtual Surgery Insider (VSI) Project allows high school students to view a total hysterectomy surgery, via da Vinci robot, narrated by the surgeon and to interact with the surgical team.
   
Trident Medical Center will host the surgery, which will be performed by OB/GYN, Dr. James Martin of Trident Health System.  This is Trident Health System’s first time participating in The VSI Project.

The project is one of the first of its kind in the U.S. to provide students an interactive operating room experience—without leaving their classrooms. It is designed to encourage high school students to pursue careers in South Carolina’s hospitals.

WHEN:    Thursday, December 17, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

WHO:    The VSI Project is sponsored by the South Carolina Hospital Association, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and Trident Health System. More than 500 students at 16 Charleston area high schools and career centers will participate.
Should you wish to visit any of the locations to observe the telecast and/or interview participants, please contact the following individuals at the school/career center in your area by December 15.

Berkeley High School                Suzanne Hansen    843-899-8800   
Cayne Bay High School                Veronica McVicker    843-899-8786
Goose Creek High School            Ernie Drews        843-5535300
Hanahan High School                 Keri Coco         843-820-3710   
Stratford High School                 Pat Polk        843-820-4000
Timberland High School                Lori Cox        843-567-8110
Burke High School                Dr. Hanaa El-sayed    843-724-7784
Garrett Academy of Technology            Chris Alexander        843-745-7126
James Island Charter High School        Scott Becker        843-762-2754
Lincoln High School                Shelia Holt        843-577-0970
North Charleston High School            Donna Kizer          843-745-7140
R.B. Stall High School                Jessica Howell        843-764-2200
West Ashley High School            Susan Porter        843-573-1201
Wando High School                Mark Buchman         843-849-2830
Dorchester County Career &
Technology Center – Dorchester Campus    Barbara Stephens    800-454-8101
Dorchester County Career &
Technology Center – Summerville Campus    Wanda Westbury    843-873-5049


WHY:    Hospitals need workers now. South Carolina’s hospitals have a growing shortage of nurses, pharmacists, clinical laboratory technicians, physical therapists, physicians and other allied health professionals. Hospitals must recruit high school students so they are motivated and prepared when it’s time to go to a university or technical college.

Personal Pathways to Success. In 2005, the South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) was signed into law. The EEDA is designed to give S.C. students the educational tools they need to build prosperous, successful futures. It sets up a system called Personal Pathways to Success, which gives students academic guidance, enhanced opportunities to explore career options and build real-life working skills. The VSI Project provides the opportunity to explore healthcare careers.

Seeing is believing. The best way to recruit students raised on reality shows is to take them into a hospital environment. Unfortunately, this is not feasible for large groups of students at one time. The next best thing is The VSI Project which allows students to come to its “virtual operating room” to meet and converse with the surgical team.

HOW:    The VSI Project will be broadcast via the Internet. Students will interact with the surgical team through an online, interactive chat and video feed.

For more information on The VSI Project, contact Julie Plummer, Trident Health System, (843) 847-5056 or Julie.plummer@hcahealthcare.com OR Rachel Branham, South Carolina Hospital Association, (803) 603-1553 or rbranham@scha.org