In January of 2020, GRAUC was asked to spearhead a multi-institution/multi-employer effort to increase access to healthcare simluation activities.

GRAUC assembled a group representating public and private education providers, healthcare employers, and experts in simulation design and technology to advise the initial planning of the sim center project. Items completed by this group included:

• Needs analysis of regional education and healthcare institutions.

• Co-design diversity, equity, and inclusion project to assure cultural relevance and accessibility.

• Governance structure.

Our local legislators supported this initiative. SF 2452/HR2521 was introduced by Senators Liz Boldon and Carla Nelson and Representatives Tina Liebling, Kim Hicks, Andy Smith, and Duane Quam. The result was a $475,000 Direct Appropriation Grant to fund the development of a small, prototype of the Simulation Center.

Simulation Center Collaborative was disbanded and the Collaborative Healthcare Simulation Center Board of Directors was formed to provide governance functions for the project.

• Create interdisciplinary, scenario-based training and realism in problem-based instruction.

• Enable educators to tailor training to individual educational levels in a safe learning environment.

• Serve as a testing ground for quailty improvement and innovation.

• Produce standardized training and consistency in healthcare practices which will contribute to improved patient safety outcomes.Description text goes here

Employers will gain several benefits from having additional learners trained:

1. Enhanced Preparedness: Students will be better prepared for their clinical rotations, resulting in a smoother transition into hands-on healthcare settings.

2. Improved Clinical Experiences: This training will assist students in being more prepared for clinicals, fostering a positive and less stressful experience for students and teachers.

3. Recertification Opportunities. Current healthcare staff will have the chance to pursue recertification through participating in these traning sessions, ensuring their skills are up-to-date.

4. Expanded Learning Opportunities. The simulation scenarios will not only benefit healthcare professionals but also offer valuable practice for other professionals such as food service and custodial employees, enabling them to refine their patients interaction skills in a controlled environment.

1. Needs analysis: Focus group interviews and surveys to regional educators and simulation professionals produced data needed to understand current state of training programs and gaps in current facilitations. (complete).

2. Business & governance plan. A business plan that includes a governance structure has been completed. (complete)

3. Seeking and securing funds. Being a community center, no single institution is funding the intiative. Government sources such as grants, benefaction, and fees collected from insitutional users will be essential to the launch and sustainability of the Center. To date, the Sim Center has received a $475,000 direct appropriation from the State of MN to build a small, prototype of the simulation center. (in process)

4. Design, build, and implementation of permanent center. (In process)

Step into a realistic hospital setting where healthcare professionals and students engage in immersive, hands-on training. Using standardized patients and high-fidelity scenarios, participants navigate real-world clinical situations, make critical decisions, and refine their skills in a safe environment. Participants will receive immediate feedback from experienced facilitators to enhance patient care, communication, and teamwork. Simulation experiences such as this prepare for the challenges of healthcare with this dynamic and interactive learning experience.

Enhance clinical skills in a realistic exam room setting designed for patient consultations and assessments. Working with standardized patients, learners will practice history-taking, diagnostic reasoning, and communication techniques in a safe, controlled environment. Students will experience tailored scenarios that reflect real-world challenges and receive immediate feedback from expert facilitators to refine your approach. Simulation experiences such as this help build confidence and competence for effective patient interactions.

Immerse yourself in cutting-edge virtual simulations that bring clinical scenarios to life using augmented and virtual reality. Students will experience realistic patient encounters, practice critical decision-making, and refine technical skills in a risk-free environment. Whether diagnosing conditions, performing procedures, or navigating complex cases, AR/VR technology provides an interactive and adaptive learning experience. In addition, learners receive real-time feedback to enhance clinical competence and confidence.