The media constantly bombard us with news stories depicting the negative aspects of Black youth. Most stories never fail to mention “gang related” or “drugs are suspected to be involved”. Well, this is a very different type of story. This story profiles a Black youth that seems to be headed in the right direction and at a very young age. Let’s send this one around the Internet and give some props to a young man that has restored some faith in today’s youth and made us all proud.
Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough
By BET.com Staff
Tony Hansberry II, a 14-year-old, African-American high school freshman, has developed a surgical stitching technique that can ease post-surgery complications and lessen the chance of errors among physicians, Black America Web reports.
Tony Hansberry has been working with Bruce Nappi, the administrative director at the University of Florida ‘s Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research, on a new technique for sewing up hysterectomy patients. “I’ve always had a passion for medicine,” he told reporter Jackie Jones in a recent interview. “The project I did was, basically, the comparison of novel laparoscopic instruments in doing a hysterectomy repair. The youth presented his findings in April at a medical conference at the University of Florida before an audience of doctors and board-certified surgeons. “I just want to help people and be respected, knowing that I can save lives,” said Hansberry, who attends Darnell-Cookman, a special medical magnet school that allows him to take advanced classes in medicine. He hopes to become a neurosurgeon some day.
One of his teachers at Darnell-Cookman, Angela TenBroeck said, “He’s an outstanding young man, and I’m proud to have him representing us.”
Hansberry was an intern at the University of Florida ‘s Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville when he came up with the concept. At the time, he was responding to a challenge to improve on an endo-stitch procedure used in hysterectomies.
It took me a day or two to come up with the concept, Hansberry said. His discovery earned him second place at the regional science fair in February 2009.
Tony’s mom is a nurse and his dad pastors an African Methodist Episcopal church.
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:03:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough