High-tech simulations, hands-on learning, and a glimpse into the operating room.

Last week, 19 eager seniors in Sarah Turek’s Anatomy and Physiology class got to take part in the rarest of off-campus excursions: a visit to the high-tech halls of the Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III Simulation and Education Center at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. Organized by TPS parent Andrea Saenim, Vice President of Operations, Medical and Surgical Specialties, the experience offered a unique glimpse into the realities of medical practice.

The day kicked off with an inspiring welcome from Dr. Jeffrey D. Kopin, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. He shared how a teacher once recognized his potential and nudged him toward medicine. Fast forward 45 years, and he’s still passionate about patient care. His message? Relationships and teamwork are everything – and, no, you don’t have to have your whole life figured out in high school.

Then came the fun (and slightly nerve-wracking) part: skill stations. Students rotated through six hands-on sessions, learning to insert IVs, perform CPR, control hemorrhages, and even intubate mannequins. “I’ve shared my intubation experience a lot,” said Evie Kane. “I was very proud of myself for being able to do it.” 

For two students, the day also included an unforgettable opportunity: scrubbing into an operating room with Dr. James Frydman and Dr. Jasmine Sinha. Savanna Sanchez and Natalie Hoff donned surgical gear and observed real-time procedures, getting a firsthand look at the precision and collaboration required in the OR. “I’ve had it pretty clear in my head for a while that I wanted to be a surgeon, and this experience just made me more confident in my decision,” said Hoff. 

The day’s real drama unfolded during the Skills Capstone Simulation as teams were tasked with stabilizing mannequins in life-threatening scenarios. It felt real – adrenaline and all. “Even in that low-risk scenario, my adrenaline was pumping,” said Davi Muller. “It reminded me that medical professionals have the weight of human life on their hands.”

After a morning of saving pretend lives, students enjoyed pizza and a panel discussion featuring medical professionals who stressed there’s no one-size-fits-all path in healthcare. Meg Decker summed it up perfectly: “It felt better knowing that these doctors didn’t know right away what they wanted to do.”

Students left inspired and ready to explore medical careers – or at least tell anyone who’d listen about their newfound skills. Lauren White said it best: “I have been non-stop telling people about this and how excited it has made me for my future in science.”

Whether it’s CPR, teamwork, scrubbing into an OR, or a new appreciation for the chaos of the ER, this trip gave students something they’ll carry with them forever.

“This was more than just a field trip,” said Sarah Turek, Anatomy and Physiology teacher. “This was a perspective-alternating experience.”