Akron Children’s Simulation Center sets residents and students up for success
Heather Bauders, Managing Editor
Resident physician Safaa Syed examines a mock patient at Intern Boot Camp.
The Akron Children’s Simulation Center for Safety and Reliability is among the largest and most advanced training facilities in the region. It includes realistic learning spaces such as patient rooms, a surgical lab, an operating room suite, and emergency and intensive care rooms. In addition, each area has technology that allows learners and instructors to review and discuss experiences afterward. These elements create a complete learning experience.
Annual Intern Boot Camp
The largest Simulation Center learning event is a three-day Intern Boot Camp. The hands-on learning at Boot Camp sets medical school graduates up for success as they begin their first year of residency training at Akron Children’s. Held in conjunction with the Akron Children’s Pediatric Residency program, boot camp provides nearly 20 educational sessions.
“Our goal with Intern Boot Camp is to allow our rising residents the opportunity to practice critical patient care skills they will need throughout their residency career,” said Dr. Jessica Aguilar, pediatric hospitalist and medical director of the Simulation Center. “They practice triaging, admitting and examining patients. They work on family-centered rounding and documenting patient information in the electronic health record. Also, they learn from some of our senior faculty and team members at Akron Children’s.”
Boot Camp takes teamwork
All 15 Simulation Center team members, dozens of resident faculty members who volunteer their time, nurses and other critical team members help at Intern Boot Camp. “Many of our own children participate as pediatric ‘patients’ for the cases, including my two kids, making this a family event for the team,” Dr. Aguilar shared. “Some of the staff have helped us for many years. Without them, the event wouldn’t be possible!”
High school students learn at the Simulation Center, too
The Akron Children’s Unity and Engagement Department and Akron Public Schools started the Akron Children’s Academy of Health and Human Services in 2017. The program helps Akron North High School students learn about jobs in healthcare, childcare, biomedical science and other health-related fields.
Academy students get hands-on learning experience at the Akron Children’s Simulation Center. “We host the Academy of Health and Human Services students who need the Basic Lifesaving Certification (BLS) in CPR,” said Brian Vandersall, Simulation Center program manager. “The groups that come here are split into two different cohorts. One gets their BLS certification, while the other group goes through stations, and then they switch. The stations include simulations of giving first aid, stopping a bleed, administering an EpiPen and listening to internal sounds of the heart, lungs and abdomen.”
Collaboration continues with Akron North’s simulation space and summer internships
Akron North planned a simulation space on their school campus in 2022. Brian and the Simulation Center team gladly provided insight. “We looked at the space they had and gave them suggestions for types of simulations and activities they could run in the space,” Brian recalled. “Also, we suggested best practices that included dedicated simulation and debriefing areas, control rooms and audio-visual debriefing options.”
Three Akron North students have received summer internships at the Simulation Center. The students shadow a staff member each day and watch students and staff in the simulation environments. The internships provide a comprehensive look at healthcare careers to help students determine their path after graduating from high school.
Dr. Aguilar, Brian and the Simulation Center team are dedicated to providing hands-on learning and high-quality instruction. “The Akron North students and medical residents who come to the Simulation Center are our future workforce,” Brian said. “Helping them learn, experience and grow is really what it’s about.”
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