LSC honors Dr. Richard Hodosh for his work with LSC’s Live From Surgery neurosurgery program
On April 25, 2024, Liberty Science Center honored friend, supporter, and Board of Trustee member Dr. Richard M. Hodosh.
Dr. Hodosh is the former medical director of the Atlantic Neurosurgical Specialists. Under his tenure, LSC’s Live From Surgery neurosurgery program flourished, with Dr. Hodosh himself conducting more than 190 neurosurgeries, reaching an impressive 15,200 students.
LSC’s Live From Surgery program invites high school students to watch real surgeries, streamed live, and ask the doctors questions. The neurosurgery sessions are broadcast from Overlook Medical Center, part of the Atlantic Health System, a recognized hospital leader in neuroscience care.
On this evening in April, LSC staff members and friends filled the Interactive Theater – where the Live From Surgery sessions are broadcast live to the students at the Science Center – sharing thanks to Dr. Hodosh, and celebrating the legacy he’s left on thousands of young minds.
Some of the staff members in attendance included those from LSC’s STEM Education team who have worked with Dr. Hodosh and the Live From Surgery program for years, including Ivory Williams, vice president of STEM Education; Alejandro Melendez, senior manager of STEM Innovation; and Rosa Catala-Steidle, director of STEM Innovation.
“The surgeons here and the surgical teams are exceptional educators,” said Catala-Steidle, reflecting on her two-decade career working with LSC’s Live From Surgery program. “They provide students with learning experiences beyond the four walls of their classroom.
“For some students, this may be the first time they’re actually interacting with a medical professional in a non-emergency situation.”
LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman announced that in Dr. Hodosh’s honor and as part of LSC's 30th Anniversary Capital Campaign, the Interactive Theater would be named after the doctor.
“We’ve had people that have sat in this room in high school, watch this program, and are surgeons today…Richard is an amazing person doing this for over 17 years and for 190 programs,” said Hoffman.
The theater auditorium will undergo a renovation and the Hi-Def technology will be updated to enhance the learning experience, Hoffman said.
Also in attendance was Dr. Fabio Frisoli, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Overlook Medical Center, who was one of those very students inspired by Dr. Hodosh.
“During the last week of a surgical observership I participated in during medical school, I got assigned to a craniotomy procedure with Dr. Hodosh,” said Dr. Frisoli. “From the moment he walked in the room, it was an amazing experience.
“It was my first time seeing the brain and seeing it pulsate. Just seeing Dr. Hodosh’s hand movements, how delicate and elegant he was, and how smoothly this surgery went, I was blown away. I came home that day and told my dad ‘I’m going to be a neurosurgeon.’”
The ceremony ended with Dr. Hodosh thanking the room, and celebrating the next generation of neurosurgeons.
“Some people ask me, ‘do you miss operating?’” said Dr. Hodosh. “Well, I miss the collegiality to some extent. But I realize when it’s someone else’s turn…and I have such a great feeling about being able to pass the torch. I know it’s going to be carried out well.”
From all of us at Liberty Science Center – thank you, Dr. Hodosh, for helping us strengthen our mission, and for inspiring the next generation of neurosurgeons!
Click here to learn more about LSC’s Live From Surgery program, and click here to learn more about LSC's 30th Anniversary Capital Campaign.
