See hyperreal simulators, manikins at new healthcare training facility in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Innovations in healthcare education are changing the apprenticeship model in Grand Rapids.
The Corewell Health Clinical Simulation Center consists of high-fidelity manikins, an immersive virtual reality room and simulated operating and patient care rooms. According to company officials, it is the largest health care simulation center of its kind in the region.
The new simulation center opened in November on the second floor of Corewell’s new, 12-story building at 251 Michigan St. NE. The $4.2 million training facility allows surgeons to perform uncommon operations and expands career development for healthcare practitioners, said Pam Jager, director of clinical simulation at Corewell Health.
RELATED: High-tech training center brings virtual reality operating rooms to Corewell Health
“It puts the learner in that situation where they really feel like they are in that actual setting,” Jager said, describing the training center’s realistic features. “They’re working with the real equipment that they would be if they were working on a real patient setting.”
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Before the facility’s existence, residents often practiced techniques in operating rooms after hours, conference rooms or even closets, Jager said. About 20 to 30 people per week have used the new training center since opening.
While not all technology at the facility is new, third-year resident Dr. Allison Hoppe said the proximity and convenience to equipment is exciting.
In addition to the new training center, the Corewell Health building houses a wound clinic, neuroscience wing, and residential clinics for pediatrics, plastic surgery and internal medicine. The building, which cost more than $100 million to construct, opened late last year.
MLive / Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Isaac Ritchey toured the state-of-the-art facility. Check out few photos below, or see the full gallery above. Click here for a direct link to the gallery.
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Director of Clinical Simulation Pam Jager at the clinical simulation center, which is 10,000 square feet of high-fidelity simulators, a virtual reality room, bio-skills lab and simulated operating rooms, is the largest health care simulation center of its kind in the region at Corewell Health in on Monday, January 27, 2025.Isaac Ritchey | [email protected]
Clinical simulation specialist Dale Chilton performs an ultrasound using a simulator at the Clinical Simulation Center, which has 10,000 square feet of high-fidelity simulators, a virtual reality room, bio-skills lab and simulated operating rooms, at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids on Monday, January 27, 2025. Corewell Health says it’s the largest health care simulation center of its kind in the regionIsaac Ritchey | [email protected]
Bioskills operations coordinator Craig McEwan, left, demonstrates virtual reality training at the Clinical Simulation Center, which has 10,000 square feet of high-fidelity simulators, a virtual reality room, bio-skills lab and simulated operating rooms, at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids on Monday, January 27, 2025. Corewell Health says it’s the largest health care simulation center of its kind in the regionIsaac Ritchey | [email protected]
A high-fidelity manikin named Lucy at the Clinical Simulation Center, which has 10,000 square feet of high-fidelity simulators, a virtual reality room, bio-skills lab and simulated operating rooms, at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids on Monday, January 27, 2025. Corewell Health says it’s the largest health care simulation center of its kind in the regionIsaac Ritchey | [email protected]
Third-year resident Gordon Lui performs gallbladder surgery using a simulator at the Clinical Simulation Center, which has 10,000 square feet of high-fidelity simulators, a virtual reality room, bio-skills lab and simulated operating rooms, at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids on Monday, January 27, 2025. Corewell Health says it’s the largest health care simulation center of its kind in the regionIsaac Ritchey | [email protected]
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