VHI Project allows students to watch pre-taped surgery and interact with surgeon

On February 13 more than 300 Utah high school students at 11 schools had the opportunity of watching an artificial heart implantation while speaking live with cardiac thoracic surgeon Bruce Reid, MD, surgical director of the Intermountain Medical Center Artificial Heart Program.

This educational experience was part of the Virtual Healthcare Initiative (VHI) Project, a joint effort between Intermountain Healthcare and the State Office of Education. The VHI Project allows students interested in healthcare careers to remain in their classroom, watch a pre-taped surgery, and speak live with a physician and ask questions. This is the seventh time Intermountain Healthcare has partnered with the Utah State Office of Education to offer programming for high school students planning medical careers. To prepare for this specific VHI experience, students completed a rigorous study of the human heart.

Locations that participated in the broadcast included: Jordan Applied Technology Center (West Jordan), Brighton High School (Sandy), Lake Powell High School, North Sevier High School (Salina), Park City High School, Payson High School, Sky View High School (Smithfield), Southwest Applied Technology Center (Cedar City), Tooele Community Learning Center, and Wasatch High School (Heber).