There have been several new and exciting happenings in the Clinical Simulation Center over the past few months. Here is a short recap:
Dr. Jen Arnold poses with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Clinical Simulation Center faculty and staff during her visit to Hershey on October 24, 2018
Dr. Jennifer Arnold Visits Simulation Center
The Center hosted internationally known simulation expert Dr. Jen Arnold as part of her visit to Hershey as part of an invited lectureship in the Department of pediatrics. Dr. Arnold spent two hours with the simulation staff answering questions about the role of simulation in healthcare. She also participated in several simulations with pediatric residents, serving both as the simulator operator and the debriefer for the scenarios. Dr. Arnold is also widely known as one of the stars TLC’s The Little Couple. During her visit she graciously greeted fans of the show, posing for several photos with them (including our staff).
New ICU Simulation Room Opens
Finally, after nearly three years of planning, false starts and construction, the simulation center has some 
new simulation space. Modeled after the actual ICU room a highly infectious disease patient (such as Ebola or SARS) would be placed, the new ICU room was opened for use. While there are still some minor details to finish (including installing new patient monitors), the room is operational and features large open floor space with two movable medical gas booms. The suite of rooms also features donning and doffing rooms for protective garb and a dedicated control room.
RQI Implementation Award
The American Heart Association awarded the Resuscitation Sciences Training Center (RSTC) an award for the successful implementation of the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program. The program features custom designed carts that feature CPR feedback manikins for adults and infants that are tied to an educational program that requires users to interact with the manikins every three months. Rather than taking a renewal course every two years, RQI’s frequent short sessions keep healthcare providers’ CPR skills always fresh and current. RSTC Program Manager Frank Banfer received the award for the medical center. The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center was one of the first in the country to adopt this new CPR training program. Currently, more the 1,200 clinicians are enrolled in the program. More information about RQI can be found at – https://hersheysimulation.psu.edu/rstc/rstc-courses/
New Simulation Fellows
Two more Simulation Education and Research Fellows joined the department. Benjamin Semakuba MD and Daniel Bauza MD join Nataliya Bilger MD and Alexander Answine MD as fellows. The Clinical Simulation Center also graduated three fellows recently: Hector Lopez MD, Aldo Crespo MD, and Lidys Rivera MD. More information about our fellows can be found at – https://hersheysimulation.psu.edu/about-us/simulation-fellowship/
