NEWS
West Virginia University School of Medicine
WVU Celebrates 15 Years of Simulation Education at State-of-the-Art STEPS Center
When West Virginia University ( WVU ) opened its simulation center on the Health Sciences Campus in Morgantown 15 years ago , programming provided just 5,000 educational encounters per year . Now , the David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety ( STEPS ) is facilitating nearly 30,000 educational encounters each year as its expert team prepares learners of all skill levels for competent , compassionate patient care .
“ Improved care for our citizens starts with advanced training for our learners and providers , and we ’ re committed to offering comprehensive , experiential education for learners at WVU ,” Daniel Summers , director of STEPS , said . “ The continued growth at STEPS allows us to provide the most cutting-edge programs that benefit learners and patients . By providing a safe environment to learn life-saving procedures , develop interprofessional communication skills and use new technologies , we are able to meet our mission of optimizing patient safety and the quality of healthcare .”
In 2008 , a three-person team dedicated to the yet-to-be-built center was assembled to prepare to introduce simulation education to students enrolled in WVU Health Sciences academic programs .
“ We had no name , just an idea and a blueprint ,” Tonya Gillum ,
STEPS office administrator , recalled . “ The simulation center was a new division within the Health Sciences Center without a designated space .”
Along with Dr . David Wilks , who served as medical director , Summers , Gillum , and an interdisciplinary planning group landed on the STEPS name , and the facility opened October 16 , 2009 , occupying 4,000 square feet and offering four labs , two classrooms , and two debriefing rooms . Although simulation training had been offered at WVU for many years , the center allowed students from all health schools to work in interprofessional teams to learn critical skills that mimic real-world healthcare scenarios .
By 2015 , the space was expanded to nearly 20,000 square feet thanks to the generosity of David Shaw and Dr . Jo Ann Goldbaugh Shaw , alumni of the schools of pharmacy and medicine , respectively . The expansion consisted of a new reception area , a dedicated room for maternal-infant simulation , two clinical skills practice labs , a computer lab , 12 exam rooms , and a standardized patient changing and staging area , as well as additional offices and needed storage space .
The Shaws were interested in investing in a project that involved a wide range of students , healthcare professionals , and first responders to reflect the multidisciplinary environment of healthcare . Reflecting on its growth , they agreed “ We could not be prouder of the accomplishments of the STEPS program over
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