What does it take to train Canada's future surgeons?
For Health and Wellness SHSM students from Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, the answer came into focus at the Temerty Advanced Surgical Education and Simulation Centre. This isn't your typical field trip. Hosted at the very facility where actual medical professionals are trained and examined under the University Health Network, students were immersed in a high-impact ICE experience that blended empathy with precision.
Stepping Into the Operating Room
Students arrived knowing they'd face the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery challenge. What they didn't expect was how quickly the transition would happen from learning theory to holding the instruments.
Using simulation tools to test their dexterity and focus, they engaged with real-world constraints to solve complex client cases. The atmosphere shifted when students picked up the surgical instruments. They weren't just observing; they were participating in the same training modules that surgical residents use.
Dimitra Labrakos and Emmanuelle Chung from the Temerty team guided these simulations, giving students a genuine glimpse into the future of healthcare. Their mentorship and expertise made the abstract concrete. When a 16-year-old holds laparoscopic tools for the first time, career possibilities that once felt distant suddenly become real.
More Than a Tour
The day's structure balanced learning, practice, and professional mentorship. Students began with healthcare-focused ICE training, establishing the foundation for the challenges ahead. Then came the case study, a real scenario requiring both technical skills and critical thinking.
The facility tour mattered more than it might seem. Seeing where and how medical professionals train demystifies career pathways. Understanding the infrastructure behind surgical education helps students visualize their potential futures in healthcare.
The laparoscopic surgery simulation formed the centerpiece of the experience. Students developed hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness that surgical procedures demand. Watching them move from initial uncertainty to focused engagement showed the power of hands-on learning in ways that classroom instruction simply cannot replicate.
The final challenge brought everything together. Students presented their case solutions to Temerty staff, defending their clinical reasoning. This presentation component mirrors modern healthcare's collaborative, communication-intensive reality.
The People Who Made It Happen
Creating these opportunities requires intentional partnership. Victoria Gray Wraight and Sam Bassani from HWDSB championed this experience. They understood that authentic experiential learning opens doors for student success that conventional approaches cannot.
The Temerty team opened a world-class facility to high school students, providing the same quality of instruction they give to Canada's medical professionals. That generosity and commitment to the next generation deserves recognition.
Why This Matters for SHSM Students
Health and Wellness represents one of Ontario's most popular SHSM sectors. Students choose this pathway because healthcare careers offer purpose, stability, and diverse specialization options. Yet many struggle to differentiate between roles or understand what training actually looks like.
Experiences like this Temerty partnership provide clarity that information sessions cannot match. Students leave knowing what surgical training entails, what skills matter most, and whether this direction aligns with their strengths and interests.
Some will pursue surgical careers. Others will discover different healthcare specializations. Both outcomes represent success. The SHSM program exists to help students make informed decisions about their futures through authentic professional experiences.
Looking Ahead
Ontario's healthcare system needs the next generation of professionals. The pathway from high school curiosity to medical career requires early exposure, mentorship, and authentic learning experiences.
The challenge for school boards is maintaining access to high-quality sector partners. Facilities like Temerty have limited capacity. Creating sustainable partnerships requires ongoing relationship management and demonstrated value for all stakeholders.
For the students who spent a day learning laparoscopic surgery at one of Canada's premier training facilities, the experience offered proof. Their healthcare career aspirations are achievable, grounded in real facilities, real professionals, and real pathways forward.
About LearnIt Solutions
LearnIt Solutions partners with Ontario school boards and independent schools to deliver experiential learning programs and SHSM certifications. We work with 20+ school boards and corporate partners to help students develop real world skills and career clarity. Learn more at www.learn-it.ca.
As part of LearnIt Media, we also amplify education innovation stories through our "Behind the Chalkboard" podcast, featuring conversations with Ontario superintendents, principals, and education leaders reimagining student learning.
Founder Dhiraj Hariramani
CEO & Chief Learning Officer, LearnIt Solutions Inc.
Dhiraj founded LearnIt to bridge the gap between classroom theory and career readiness. A UBC graduate and consultant at Accenture, he has directly impacted 10,000+ students across Ontario school boards.
As host of the Behind the Chalkboard podcast, Dhiraj facilitates conversations with education leaders exploring innovation, equity, and student centered approaches to learning.
Connect: LinkedIn | dhiraj@learn-it.ca | +1 (236) 788 6830