Georgian College unveiled revolutionary technology utilizing a new immersive simulation space within the school, along with major health-care renovations, during a news conference at the Barrie campus on Tuesday.
The college has transformed 15,000 square feet of space, including a new state-of-the-art simulation environment, which is the only one of its kind in Ontario higher education.
The college says government and donor funding has helped make this nearly $3-million investment in "world-class technology" possible in Georgian’s Sadlon Centre for Health, Wellness and Sciences, "further strengthening the college’s reputation of offering an unrivalled student experience."
The students are already using the new facilities, including the immersive simulation space, named in honour of the Brand Family Foundation, which provided a significant gift to the project.
The simulation space is known as the Brand Family 360° – Interdisciplinary Simulation Space.
All surfaces in the space respond to touch, sounds, smells and props in the simulation. They also provide a "powerful learning experience."
College officials say the room is equipped with 360-degree cameras to enable the customization of virtual reality spaces without the use of a headset, thereby placing students in their exact working environment, "so when they start a field placement or career in a health-care setting, they’re more prepared."
Health, Wellness and Sciences students can also access more than 10 renovated labs and learning spaces, all inside the Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes Nursing and Wellness Wing, and HAL S5301, described as the world’s most advanced interdisciplinary patient simulator.
HAL S5301 is wireless and programmable, powered by a rechargeable battery. It is proportional in size to an adult male, with lifelike skin features, movable joints and anatomically accurate components. HAL can also produce pre-recorded speech phrases in any language.
The patient simulator has a long list of capabilities, which also includes blinking, lifelike breathing and bilateral palpable pulses. Blood can be drawn, fingerstick glucose testing can be done and it also offers trauma scenarios, such as abdominal wounds and limb amputation.
Students can access this technology as part of their hands-on learning experiences that will help them prepare for the workforce, as all the equipment in the learning spaces matches what is used in local hospitals.
Nursing student Vibhu Vibhu, said she's excited to start using the technology in the new space.
“It’s a safe learning space where we can actually do things like hear the patient simulator’s heartbeats, do our assessments and see whether we’re doing it accurately by checking with the machines,” Vibhu said.
“This will give nursing students confidence going into their clinicals and when we start working as nurses," she added.
Georgian College president and CEO Kevin Weaver echoed those comments.
“These renovations demonstrate how Georgian is advancing innovation in a big way, from the design of our immersive, interdisciplinary spaces to the cutting-edge equipment our students will be learning on,” he said.
Weaver also thanked donors for making the new equipment possible.
“This transformation has truly been a community effort between Team Georgian and our supporters, and we are grateful to the generous donors who have invested in our students and the next generation of health-care professionals," he said. "This new space and technology will help our programs meet the complex needs of our local communities.”
There are more than 40 donors helping Georgian College make this transformation at the Barrie campus happen. Some significant community donors include the Brand Family Foundation, D.V. Bell Foundation, Deb DeCaire (Skipwith) and Steve Blanchet and families, Jane (Brown) Jackson, Larche Family Foundation, belairdirect, and the Rotary Club of Barrie.
