Surgery Live!

Watch professionals perform surgical procedures. In real life. In real-time.

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center created an innovative partnership designed to stimulate the interest of high school students in careers in health care. With the support of Highmark BlueShield, Surgery Live! at Whitaker Center connects students to the operating rooms of Hershey Medical Center through interactive high-definition videoconferencing technology.

A facilitator guides the students' discussion with operating room staff, demonstrates surgical instruments used in the operation, and explains factors that cause disease and contribute to conditions that place patients on the operating table. The program then transitions live to the operating room where students see and hear the surgical teams.  The surgeon explains each step of the procedures and the students can ask questions during the program. No experience compares to this integrative, live program! 

NEW! Surgery Live! Now being offered virtually! Upon registration, you will be asked if you plan to travel to Whitaker Center’s Select Medical Digital Cinema or take advantage of this exciting program from your classroom through webinar software. Both options will provide all of the components of the Surgery Live! experience.

Admission for Virtual and In-person Experience                 

Price: $25.00 per person

*Please note, all students and adults will need a ticket to the program.

Surgery Live! 2020-21 Dates and Procedures

January 12, 2021       Lap Inguinal Hernia 

January 14, 2021       Hysterectomy

January 28, 2021       Hysterectomy      *Sold out virtually

February 4, 2021       Cholecystectomy

February 23, 2021     Lap Inguinal Hernia 

February 25, 2021     Hysterectomy

March 10, 2021          Sleeve Gastrectomy

March 11, 2021          Hysterectomy

March 18, 2021          Cholecystectomy

March 23, 2021           TBD

April 15, 2021             Cholecystectomy

April 22, 2021             Hysterectomy

April 29, 2021             Cholecystectomy

July 1, 2021                Hysterectomy

July 29, 2021              Cholecystectomy

Please note: 

• Surgery Live! is reserved for student groups and is not offered to the general public.
• Surgery Live! is only available to school groups of 10 or more.
• Due to the graphic nature of live surgery, students must be in grade 7 or above to attend.
• Each Surgery Live! program is scheduled from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Due to the nature of live surgery, the actual session may end earlier or later than scheduled.
• If attending the program at Whitaker Center, the doors will open at 8:30 am at the 3rd St Entrance. Attendance in-person is limited, and social distancing recommendations must be followed.  Groups must also follow the Whitaker Center’s Health and Safety procedures.
• If attending the program via webinar software, you will need to be logged into the provided link by 8:50 am.
• Full payment is due at the time of booking. Refunds will not be issued for no-shows.
• Surgeries are subject to change based on surgeon availability.
• Please direct all questions or STEM Scholarships pricing inquiries to education@whitakercenter.org.

Surgery Live! is generously supported by Penn State Health and Highmark

This program and many others are part of the