Milligan University opened its new Ballad Health Simulation Lab on the third floor of Derthick, giving nursing and health science students the opportunity to learn in a realistic environment.
The project, which took three years of planning and design in cooperation with Ballad Health, is now complete. Along with the simulation lab, the third floor of Derthick Hall has been renovated, including the hallways, walls and four classrooms. The project was primarily funded by Ballad Health and Milligan alumni.
“This was a need for our campus, for our health science students,” said Dr. Melinda Collins, Milligan’s nursing director.
The new lab features several advanced mannequins designed to represent patients of different ages, genders and medical needs. These include adult male and female mannequins, a mannequin designed for childbirth and a newborn mannequin. The mannequins are AI-driven and designed to closely resemble real patients, with features such as moving eyes, detectable pulses and heartbeats.
Unlike traditional labs, the simulation lab will be used during classroom sessions. Students will practice medical procedures and patient interactions in situations they are likely to encounter during clinical experiences.
“The purpose of that is to allow students to have simulated experiences that they’re likely to see when they go to the clinical settings,” Collins said.
The lab is intended to help students develop both technical and communication skills. In health care, every patient is different and medical professionals must be able to adapt to individual needs. Practicing in a realistic environment can help students become more comfortable communicating with patients and recognizing important details during medical situations.
Junior nursing major Briley Davis said she is looking forward to applying her classroom knowledge in a more realistic setting.
“I’m most excited about the opportunity to practice hands-on skills in a more realistic setting. Nursing involves so much more than just learning information within a classroom. Being able to apply the information learned to a clinical aspect is so important,” Davis said.
The simulation lab will benefit students across Milligan’s health science programs by providing access to modern clinical equipment and opportunities to practice situations that may not occur regularly during clinical rotations.
The goal is to prepare students not only to succeed academically but also to perform medical procedures and provide effective patient care.
Photo: President Wears opening the new Ballad lab (Credit: Milligan University)
By: Tessa Wilck
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