Confluence Health Hospital Central Campus in Wenatchee celebrated its 2,000th robotic surgery the week of March 25 by bringing in a traveling surgical robot to allow members of the community and staff to try their hand at operating the machine. Though the traveling device is used for demonstrations, it is the same type as the one hospital surgeons use, highlighting its ability to fulfill a wide range of surgical needs. The robot stands at eight feet tall and has four arms.
Wenatchee High School students in courses studying medicine also took a field trip to the hospital to learn about the device and talk to the robot’s vendor about medical technology. They also had time for a question and answer session with Dr. Catherine Straub, general surgeon at Confluence Health, about her experience in medicine and advice for those considering it for a career.
“It’s important to give students this opportunity since they get to see the huge number of roles available in healthcare,” said Tracey Kasnic, former chief nursing officer and current career and technical education coordinator at Wenatchee High School, who brought her students on the field trip to the hospital. “There is the surgeon, who is the captain of the ship, but there are also med techs, nurses, and many others – including technology like the surgery robot – that play important parts in care.”
Read more about the event from Confluence Health. (Tim Pfarr)
