From Saint Viator to the OR: Student and Alum Connect in Surgical Shadowing

Saint Viator High School’s mission to form students who are intellectually inspired, faith-filled, and ready to serve was brought to life in a remarkable way when senior Ben Konopka ’25 stepped into the operating room for a shadowing experience, only to discover that he would be learning alongside fellow alumnus Bobby Tangredi ’18.

 

As part of his career exploration and in fulfillment of his STEM designation requirements, Ben arranged a shadow day that included observing two surgeries: a total knee arthroplasty and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. What made this experience especially memorable, however, was the unexpected opportunity to connect with Tangredi, who now works in the medical device industry.

 

“When I told one of the nurses I attend Saint Viator High School, he heard and told me that he went to Viator too!” Ben shared. “After asking me a bit about how the lacrosse team was doing, which of his old teachers were still teaching, and some siblings of his classmates, he helped guide me through the surgical process—incredibly helpful given the complexity to a newcomer like me.”

 

Tangredi, a 2018 graduate and former lacrosse player at Benedictine University, currently serves as an Orthopedic Medical Device Representative with Smith+Nephew, a multinational medical equipment manufacturing company. In this role, he specializes in supporting total knee, hip, and trauma procedures, ensuring all instruments and implants are correctly prepared and available in the OR. He also acts as a technical advisor, bringing expert knowledge of the components used during surgery.

 

Ben, who recently committed to the United States Military Academy at West Point to play football, plans to study Life Sciences—West Point’s equivalent of pre-med—with aspirations of becoming a military physician. His decision has been shaped by several shadowing experiences, including this one.

 

For Tangredi, mentoring students in the OR has become a meaningful part of his work. “Anytime there’s a student in the OR, I make it a point to share as much as I can—there’s so much to learn, and the OR is a truly hands-on environment,” he said. “To my surprise, Ben told me he attends Saint Viator and recently committed to West Point for football! Right away, I could tell he was bright, well-spoken, and had a calm focus.”

 

After winning a lacrosse conference title and earning a bid to the NCAA tournament at Benedictine, Tangredi pivoted his focus toward the medical field. He interned multiple times with Smith+Nephew before graduating early to pursue a full-time role in the orthopedic device industry.

 

"It’s a highly rewarding position that requires extensive training,” Tangredi said. “And I was grateful for the chance to share some of that knowledge with Ben—a soon-to-be fellow alum!"

 

As Ben prepares to leave Saint Viator for West Point, he carries with him not only a passion for medicine and service but also the lasting impact of the Viatorian community—a community that, even in the operating room, continues to educate, inspire, and connect.