Georgia College & State University held a ribbon-cutting Sept. 18 to announce its newly renovated Simulation and Translational Research Center, which students have already been using this fall. The Sim Center is a 13,000-squarefoot space, which is a 7,000-squarefoot increase in size from the former facility.
In the center, students can master healthcare skills with both standardized patients as well as high-fidelity mannequins. The $633,000 investment provides healthcare students with advanced learning technology, such as full-body mannequins with reactive pupils, pulses, heart, lung, and intestinal sounds.
“The inspiration for the center comes from the needs of our students,” said Dr. Sterling Roberts, associate professor of nursing and executive director of the Sim Center. “This is highly important for getting them prepared for their clinical practices.”
The renovated Simulation Center is another way for GCSU to prove its “dedication to hands-on, highquality learning for students.”
“We hope to expand this from a nursing-only simulation center to include other disciplines,” said Dr. Will Evans, dean of the College of Health Sciences at GCSU and master certified health education specialist. “We’d like to see various professionals train together, because then they’re more likely to work together once they graduate.”
Students have already completed more than 27,000 hours of clinical and simulation experience through the GCSU nursing program this year, an all-time record for the university.
“We are sure this center will appropriately serve the needs of our students, faculty and research initiatives that we have in store for many years to come,” GCSU President Cathy Cox said.
The renovation was accomplished in five months, with many partners and leaders skeptical about the ability to complete the project within the allotted timeline and budget. However, the center came to fruition on time and under budget.
Being one of only two facilities in the University System of Georgia accredited through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, GCSU’s Simulation and Translational Center is set to provide the highest-quality training possible. By giving students confidence in high-stakes health care scenarios, the benefits of this facility are life changing for both future providers and patients.