February Workshop Meeting

Wednesday, February 20, 2025, 5:30pm

In attendance: Matthew Cooper, Cincinnati Children’s; Emily Kean, Unaffiliated; Jim DaMico, Cincinnati Children’s; Lauren Darpel, Cincinnati Children’s; Christine Jankowski, Lloyd LIbrary; Jennifer Pettigrew, The Christ Hospital; Lynn Warner, University of Cincinnati; Karen Whyte,  Cincinnati Children’s

CAHSLA members toured the historic Surgical Amphitheater at University of Cincinnati’s Surgical Department. In the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, surgical amphitheaters played an important role in teaching new surgeons. Christian R. Holmes set out in 1915 to create a medical center in Cincinnati based on the Johns Hopkins University teaching hospital model. As a result of Holme’s work, the Cincinnati General Hospital was opened, including the surgical amphitheater we toured. 

It was restored and rededicated in August 2005 after a 5-year project to repair the original skylight, update audio-visual equipment, and add new seating and windows, in addition to other upgrades. 

As of 2025, the amphitheater serves as a non-surgical classroom, conference, and meeting space and hosts visitors from around the country.

After a tour of the amphitheater, members traveled over to the Health Science Library to view and discuss the new plastinated body specimens in the recently opened Anatomy Learning Lab. The current collection features 10 specimens including torsos, kidneys, hands, and other body systems. The Anatomy Learning Lab is located on the E level of the library and open to students and faculty during library hours. Thank you, Lynn, for hosting us and providing fascinating information about the new specimen collection!

After a brief discussion of holding our next meeting at the newly renovated Mercantile Library, the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Karen Whyte