Created: 4/30/2009 7:54:00 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A 9th grade student at Darnell Cookman School of the Medical Arts has developed a new medical procedure that has even impressed the physicians at Shands Jacksonville. Tony Hansberry is our Student of the Week.
After school and all summer long, Hansberry likes to spend his time in the simulation lab at Shands. This is where doctors and nurses practice their procedures on mannequins. Students from Darnell Cookman are also allowed to come here and learn.
The Director of CSESaR, Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research, took Hansberry under his wing allowing him to tinker with the equipment. He's been coming as an intern and volunteer since 7th grade and now he's teaching the physicians a thing or two.
"He learned about a sewing machine tool that wasn't being used. He thought the sewing machine could be used to do a faster job. That was his science project to prove a sewing machine was faster then doing it with a needle and thread," said Nappi.
As part of the science project, Hansberry developed a technique that reduced surgical time for minimally invasive hysterectomies.
"I found the average time was much shorter. Three times as long for the conventional needle driver then the stitch," said Hansberry.
He got second place for his project and will go on to the state finals; but more importantly he's developed a procedure doctors can use on real patients.
"I'm sure of it because it's so much faster and better and a 9th grader came up with it," said Nappi.
After spending so much time at Shands, Hansberry has decided he wants to become a neurosurgeon.
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