Playing Doctor in a Big Way: How Giant Operation Deluxe Amplified University Hospitals’ Youth Summit

November 7, 2024
Giant Operation | Experience by Interactive Entertainment Group
Giant Operation | Experience by Interactive Entertainment Group

When University Hospitals’ Center for Education and Diversity Inclusion (CEDI) set out to inspire future healthcare professionals, they turned to a unique, hands-on approach at the 3rd Annual Future Shades in Medicine: Youth Summit (#FSIM2024). This October, young men and women of color gathered at Huntington Bank Field to explore healthcare careers—experiences usually reserved for college and beyond.

Bringing Anatomy to Life with Giant Operation Deluxe

Our Giant Operation Deluxe stole the show, offering an interactive challenge with oversized tweezers, buzzers, and lights. Part game, part anatomy lesson, this super-sized experience gave attendees a taste of healthcare’s precision and focus, making careers in medicine feel within reach. More than just fun, it showcased the possibility of belonging in the field, inspiring the next generation to consider paths they may not have previously imagined.

Representation Matters: Changing Perceptions of Healthcare Careers

University Hospitals’ Future Shades in Medicine is about more than science; it’s about representation. By meeting minority healthcare workers and trying hands-on activities, young attendees could see that healthcare is a viable, inspiring career choice. One attendee, a repeat visitor, emphasized how the summit opens doors to careers beyond the usual media-driven sports and entertainment options.

Empowering Youth Through Hands-On Learning

The impact was clear: hands-on experiences like Giant Operation Deluxe help bridge the gap between curiosity and career ambition. Each year, students leave with newfound confidence, empowered by the knowledge that they, too, can find a place in healthcare.

At the end of the day, University Hospitals and Interactive Entertainment Group delivered more than just an event. We sparked a passion for healthcare and a vision for a future these young people can see themselves in.

University Hospitals’ Center for Education and Diversity Inclusion (CEDI) is committed to transforming healthcare by fostering a more inclusive and representative medical field. CEDI offers programs and initiatives designed to support diverse talent, create equitable opportunities, and empower young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in healthcare. Through educational events, mentorship, and community outreach, CEDI builds pathways for future healthcare leaders and works to make healthcare a field that reflects the communities it serves.

Hosted by University Hospitals’ Center for Education and Diversity Inclusion (CEDI), the Future Shades in Medicine: Youth Summit is an annual conference dedicated to inspiring young Black men and women to pursue careers in healthcare. Now in its third year, this hands-on summit connects attendees with healthcare professionals, offering experiential learning opportunities that foster a sense of belonging in the medical field and provide exposure to the wide-ranging possibilities within healthcare.

Share it on: