Students test drive surgical robots at Ventura County Medical Center

The surgical department at Ventura County Medical Center invited students to come test out their surgical robots on Wednesday.

Students from the Ventura Unified School district had an opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of a mock surgical procedure.

“We have done some different kind of exercises that help simulate what we will actually do during a surgery,” said Noah Peck, who is a 10th grader at Ventura High School.

Peck is just one of the students who had a chance to operate The DaVinci surgical robot.

“It was really fun once you got it,” said Peck.

It was the first time the surgical department at Ventura County Medical Center invited local students to have a hands on experience.

“I think it is important to showcase what Ventura County Medical Center has as far as technology is involved,” said Barry Sanchez, who is the Director of robotic surgery at Ventura County Medical Center.

“These are the kids of the future, and hopefully we can excite them in robotics and maybe we can even convince a few of them to go into the medical field.”

“Now after doing this I think I have a stronger interest in maybe checking out this field,” said Peck.

Sanchez who is the director of robotic surgery at Ventura County Medical Center says they explained how technology is changing the game for surgeons.

Then students got to try out the latest invention.
“They all sit down and the first thing that they say is ‘cool’,” said Sanchez.

“I watch them and within 10 seconds they have already mastered and figured it out.”

“Well hopefully they take away a little inspiration, and think about what is possible,” said Sabrena Rodriguez, who is the President of the Board of Eduction Ventura Unified School District.

“Thinking about ways they can take their education further, and bring it back here home to Ventura County in the future.”

KEYT