A group of Bermuda Hospitals Board summer students had the chance to watch surgeries live through a video link and partnership with the US-based Liberty Science Centre.

The participants were able to look on during a kidney transplant, robotic surgery and neurosurgery, and could communicate with the doctors.

Erin Basden, the BHB’s co-ordinator for HR programmes, said: “We secured ten spots for a number of surgeries.

“It was great to be able to offer such a meaningful experience as part of our summer student programme and we will be looking to continue this partnership in the future.

“It was very informative, eye-opening and offered our students another avenue to benefit their career journey.”

The series of live video events were held in June.

In a meet-the-surgeon session, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon joined live to present students with recorded footage from one of her procedures and discussed her career path.

Sanaa Simmons, a first-year medical student who is studying at the University of Liverpool and worked in the BHB’s quality and risk department over the summer, was among those who took part.

She said: “The opportunity to witness live surgeries provided by the Liberty Science Centre was insightful and inspiring.

“I particularly enjoyed observing the paediatric ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] reconstruction, and Dr Samara Friedman was eager to answer our questions and share her story.

“From growing up as an athlete to employing her dexterous skills throughout her younger life, she explained how paediatric orthopaedic surgery was the best fit for her.

“Moreover, the kidney transplant surgery was well delivered; the procedure was narrated in an accessible way.

“We became further educated on triage processes, organ rejection and long-term lifestyle changes to patients — ultimately reinforcing how imperative it is to showcase empathy in the medical field.”