There’s more to hospital operations than meets the eye: More than 200 4th- and 5th-graders from PS 100 in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, toured Coney Island Hospital on May 12 as part of a professional development day for students to learn about different careers affiliated with the hospital. Students broke into small groups to get a deeper understanding of the dentistry, dietetics, radiology and surgery departments. They also went behind the scenes to see how the hospital security and communications division operates and to meet with the building engineers who keep the hospital’s generators running. Students got a close-up look at an ambulance with the Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Throughout the career day, the 4th- and 5th-graders were guided by students from nearby Grady Vocational HS. Whether donning surgical masks or hair nets for food prep or being “deputized” by hospital police, students learned about the complex network of jobs necessary for a hospital to run smoothly. “It was a wonderful opportunity to visit Coney Island Hospital, tour the facilities and learn about many potential career opportunities for our students,” said Joanne Bullaro, the PS 100 chapter leader. “It was also wonderful to witness the support of the Grady HS students in each activity. Strengthening school and community relationships is the most important thing we can do for our students.”