Anatomy Students Go Hands-On with Robotic Surgery

When students in Mr. Hawkins’ Anatomy: Surgery & Salad class stepped into Intuitive Surgical earlier this month, they weren’t just on an expedition — they were stepping into the future of medicine. The course title itself gives context to their learning journey: “Surgery” represents the exploration of the body’s systems and functions, while “Salad” symbolizes the study of the nutrients needed to sustain and optimize those systems. By blending these two perspectives, the class equips students with a holistic understanding of how the human body works — and how science and innovation are shaping its care.

“This course is all about making anatomy come alive,” said Mr. Hawkins, Upper School science teacher. “We want students to see how what we’re learning in class connects to the real world. Experiences like this give them a chance to explore the intersections of medicine, technology, and innovation — and maybe even discover a future career path.”

Mr. Hawkin’s students’ journey was guided by Dr. Mike Champney, a Northside Hospital general surgeon, who led the expedition at Intuitive Surgical, located in Peachtree Corners. The company specializes in robotic surgery, a cutting-edge, minimally invasive technique that uses advanced robotic systems to extend the precision and capabilities of skilled surgeons.

Under Dr. Champney’s guidance, students began the day exploring the history and evolution of surgery — from early techniques to today’s high-tech operating rooms — gaining perspective on how rapidly the field continues to advance. They watched a live gallbladder removal performed using Intuitive’s da Vinci Surgical System, observing the precision and skill required in a real operating room.

The experience became even more immersive when some students had the opportunity to practice on a human simulator, a highly realistic model that included fluid sacs, veins, and blood vessels. Using the robotic arms, other students performed tasks like threading a ring through a miniature obstacle course and placing rubber bands around a penny — exercises designed to mimic the dexterity and focus needed for real surgeries.

For many students, the experience was transformative.

“This hands-on experience gave us insight into the future of surgery and the intersection of robotics and biology in the operating room,” said Haris Flynn. “Thanks to Dr. Champney and the Intuitive team, we’re now equipped to use a multi-million-dollar biotechnology system! Who knows — you might see a few MV students at the helm of a da Vinci machine in a couple of years.”

Lizzie Park had a similar reaction, though with a twist:
“I loved this experience! It was so cool to see live footage of a surgery and try out real operating technology. For a second, I was rethinking my musical theater major,” she joked. “But after I popped a few arteries on the simulation trying to remove a gallbladder, I realized it might not be for me! Even so, this connected everything we’ve been learning in class and gave me a new appreciation for the digestive system unit we’re about to start.”

Matty Jenci added:
“The trip helped deepen my understanding of anatomy and gave me a new perspective on how hard doctors and surgeons work to help their communities. The hands-on learning was refreshing compared to a regular classroom.”

Dr. Champney hopes experiences like this will inspire the next generation of innovators:
“Medicine is advancing quickly, and robotic surgery is just one example of how technology is transforming patient care,” he said. “It’s exciting to see students engaging with these tools so early in their education.”

This Mod 1 experience is just the beginning. Later this year, Anatomy students will revisit the course during Mod 4’s Subdermal Warfare, where they’ll explore the effects of diseases on the human body. By weaving real-world experiences into rigorous academic learning, Mount Vernon is helping students make deeper connections, ignite passions, and discover their purpose.

“Trips like this are exactly what we envision when we talk about preparing students for the future,” said Mr. Hawkins. “They’re creators and designers of tomorrow — and we want to give them every opportunity to explore where their curiosity can take them.”