Liberty Science Center CEO, Paul Hoffman (center) accepting Liberty Science Center’s NJBIZ Award.

Liberty Science Center has been named a winner in the Education Hero-Organization category in the 2015 NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes awards program. The award program, produced by NJBIZ, New Jersey’s premier business news publication, was sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Hackensack University Medical Center, CareOne Management, LLC, Comcast Business, Brach Eichler, LLC, New Jersey Hospital Association, and New Jersey Innovation Institute.

In the years since the introduction of Liberty Science Center’s Live From Surgery program in 1998, students have been able to observe, via videoconferencing, a cardiac bypass surgery, a kidney transplant, and various orthopedic surgeries. Students are encouraged to ask the members of the operating room questions in order to gain more insight. This program helps the roughly 5,000 students who participate yearly in deciding whether or not a job in the medical field is right for them.

Live From Surgery is only one of many health-related educational activities LSC offers.

Using the da Vinci robotic surgery system, students are able to engage in surgical training practices during Let’s Operate Day. Guests in attendance can also learn about operating room equipment, education tracks leading to careers in the medical field, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Infection Connection, a permanent exhibit at the Center, teaches guests how the decisions they make every day affect the spread of infectious diseases. The exhibit includes hands on activities like the dissection of cow eyes and mini operations on bananas.

Aside from educational activities, LSC also gives back to the community by hosting health screenings for students from 31 at-risk schools. These screenings also give students the opportunity to learn about low-cost or free health resources.

The Healthcare Heroes finalists were recognized and the winner in each category was announced during an awards breakfast and ceremony on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. The honorees were also highlighted in a special supplement to NJBIZ.

The finalists and winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges including: Wardell Sanders, New Jersey Association of Health Plans, Dr. Chadwin Sandifer, Fairleigh Dickinson University | School of Pharmacy and Judy Schmidt, New Jersey State Nurses Association. The three judges evaluated the nominations using a scoring system based on heroic actions or programs, impact of nominee’s heroic actions and accomplishments within healthcare.