Over 100 students from Oak Park and River Forest High School explored potential futures through hands-on experience with the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System last week. The robot, valued at over $1 million, has evolved through more than 30 versions. It was brought from Loyola University to OPRF to offer students insight into minimally invasive surgical procedures.
The students participated in groups, learning to operate the machine and understand its capabilities. Allison Hennings, the nursing program coordinator at OPRF, emphasized the importance of offering tangible experiences to inspire students’ career aspirations. She noted, “Giving them hands-on experience shows they can do different careers they may have never thought about.”
As part of the event, students practiced precise tasks like unwrapping a Starburst candy and tying knots. Oliver Harks, a senior interested in microbiology, expressed enthusiasm after interacting with the device. “The opportunity to see an actual surgical robot at school, like in the flesh, was amazing,” Harks remarked. He plans to study at Case Western Reserve University or Loyola University Chicago, focusing on level 4 pathogens.
An operator uses the Da Vinci robotic surgical system to unwrap a Starburst candy at Oak Park and River Forest High School on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (Cam’ron Hardy/Pioneer Press)
Reflecting on his experience, Harks stated, “It just reminded me how far we’ve come with all sorts of things relating to the merging of technology and science, and how those are just so deeply intertwined.”
This event was facilitated by OPRF’s partnership with the Health Career Collaborative and support from Loyola University medical students. The school’s Medical Club collaborates with these organizations to guide students through various health topics and career pathways.
Coralai Groulx, a junior in the nursing program, explored different aspects of the profession, including surgical robotics. “I just think it’s super cool because obviously surgery is an option,” she shared. Inspired by healthcare workers who aided her mother during a battle with breast cancer, Groulx is considering a career in nursing. She said, “I want to have that patient interaction and that relationship.”
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