Today (April 9), Nipissing University celebrated the opening of the George and Helen Vari Simulation Centre, an immersive and interactive learning environment designed to replicate a variety of real-life situations and procedures for students and professionals from various disciplines, including nursing, social work, and criminal justice.
Made possible through a generous donation from the George and Helen Vari Foundation, the Simulation Centre features four hospital simulation suites with life-like manikins that can be programmed to recreate a wide range of professional situations for emergency care, pediatric learning, and procedural training.
"The Simulation Centre offers students a space to build competency in their skills, practice critical thinking, and make mistakes in a low-risk, supportive, and controlled environment to help prepare them for professional practice," shared Dr. Karey McCullough, Associate Dean, the School of Nursing at Nipissing University.
In addition to the hospital suites, the Centre features two spaces equipped with immersive projection technology, which can be transformed into various settings such as a hospital, crime scene, or disaster scenarios. Learners navigate the immersive environment using interactive touch points on the walls and 360-degree cameras. A mock home environment, complete with living room, bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen, offers the opportunity to simulate home visits, crime scene investigations, community assessments, and more.
"George and Helen Vari were passionate advocates for education and its ability to transform lives," said Agnes Hilkene and Victoria De Luca of the George and Helen Vari Foundation. "The impact that this leading-edge space will have on Nipissing students, the community, and future health-care professionals, is something both George and Helen would be deeply proud of."
While Nipissing students are the primary users of the Simulation Centre, community partners and organizations may also book the space to run through mock scenarios and simulations. The North Bay Regional Health Centre and Ontario Provincial Police have already made use of the Centre.
"Nipissing University prides itself on providing experiential learning opportunities for students in all disciplines to complement their in-class learning," shared Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University. "This new space will help ensure our students are exceptionally well prepared to enter their profession, while also providing our community with a valuable new resource for health-care training, disaster preparedness scenarios, and more."
"On behalf of Nipissing University, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the George and Helen Vari Foundation for its continued support of our students and investment in their futures," said Wamsley.
To learn more about the George and Helen Vari Simulation Centre, or to inquire about booking the space, visit: nipissingu.ca/simulationcentre
Left to right: Agnes Hilkene and Victoria De Luca (George and Helen Vari Foundation); Dr. Graydon Raymer (Interim Dean of Education and Professional Studies); David Smits (Chair, Nipissing University Board of Governors); Dr. Kevin Wamsley, (President and Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University); Cheryl Sutton (Vice-President, Finance and Administration), Renée Haquard (Assistant Vice-President, Finance and Infrastructure); Dr. Karey McCullough (Interim Associate Dean, School of Nursing).
