Most students pursuing a career in a healthcare field don’t get their first glimpse of the inside of an operating room until college, but students in Tyrone’s Health Technology, Microbiology, and Anatomy classes are getting that experience while still in high school. 

They are finding out what it’s like to be a surgeon for the day by shadowing Tyrone alum, Dr. Matthew Newlin.

Dr. Newlin is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at UPMC Altoona Medical Director of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program and Medical Director of the Robotic Surgery Program.

This shadowing opportunity allows students to be in a different atmosphere than they are familiar with, ultimately giving them “behind the scenes” access to one of the most interesting and competitive fields of medicine.

“Students get to experience the physical demands, lots of walking and standing required by a doctor.  Interacting with all sorts of people, patients, and staff, with different backgrounds and personalities,” said TAHS Health Technology teacher, Mrs. Taylor. “The students will be able to immerse themselves in the environments of a surgeon, in the office, OR, and patient bedside.”

Junior Paige Hunter had the opportunity to observe several of Dr. Newlin’s surgeries. Hunter saw two laparoscopic procedures; one being an abdominal hernia repair.  She also saw two EDG’s and a colon resection.

“I loved the surgeries. The blood and guts didn’t bother me at all; I thought it was fascinating,” said Hunter.

Students are able to see how the surgical team works together and the roles that each person in the OR has to perform in order to successfully complete the surgery.

“By shadowing Dr. Newlin, I hope that students learn the many roles of healthcare workers,” said TAHS teacher Miss Danielle Shick. “While not all students may be interested in becoming a surgeon, spending a day with Dr. Newlin will open their eyes to the many facets of healthcare within a hospital.”

Prior to Dr. Newlin, the only students who were given the opportunity to shadow health care professionals during school hours were students in Health Technology 2 and 3, leaving out others who were interested, but possibly couldn’t schedule the class.

This new opportunity has helped many students experience the hospital setting a little more before they leave high school to pursue their future medical career, including senior, Elina Lure.

This opportunity was, “a new and eye-opening experience because it gave me the chance to see a surgeon at work,” said Lure. “It has caused me to fall even more in love with the medical field, especially becoming a PA. I got to see how the PA participated in the surgeries and how they contributed with their medical skills.”

Students interested in health care should take advantage of this opportunity to see what it’s like to be on the inside.

“This is an awesome opportunity. Anyone who is a junior or senior in health tech, anatomy, or microbiology would be crazy to pass it up,” said  Taylor.