Lakewood Ranch High students gain healthcare experience at HCA Florida Blake Hospital
HCA Florida Blake Hospital welcomed 45 students from Lakewood Ranch High School’s Girls in White Coats club on Tuesday for an inspiring and educational event in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The Girls in White Coats club is made up of high school students who are passionate about science and medicine and are actively exploring careers in healthcare. Many of the students aspire to become physicians, physician assistants, nurses and other medical professionals. The event offered them a unique opportunity to connect with experts in the field and gain real-world insight into the paths that lead to those careers.
The students heard from several accomplished medical professionals, including thoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Ferguson, physician assistant Sarah Coglianese and certified registered nurse anesthetist Michelle Birch. The speakers shared their personal journeys into medicine and offered advice on navigating education and training. They also touched on the dangers of vaping and the impact of lung cancer, tying the discussion into the broader awareness efforts of the month.
Following the speakers, students had the chance to get hands-on with some of the hospital’s most advanced technology: the da Vinci XI and ION surgical robots. These robots are vital to the hospital’s thoracic program, providing a way to perform minimally invasive thoracic surgery and pulmonary procedures. The students practiced maneuvering the robotic arms and even took on a fun challenge of unwrapping a Starburst candy using robotic instruments. The activity gave them a firsthand look at the precision and innovation involved in modern surgical procedures.
“Our students had a wonderful experience this morning,” said Alexandra Wilcoxson a chemistry teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School and sponsor of the Girls in White Coats club. “The highlight of the visit was exploring innovative robotic surgical technology — and even getting to operate the robots. This kind of hands-on learning creates lasting memories that will inspire these future medical professionals throughout high school, college and beyond.”
To close out the day, HCA Florida Blake Hospital presented a $10,000 donation to the Manatee Education Foundation. The funds will support the Girls in White Coats club and other high school medical clubs and programs throughout Manatee County, helping to nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals.