the last 15 years . Technology is rapidly evolving , and the STEPS lab continually evaluates new products and adjusts programs to provide a highly adaptable and flexible learning experience . This requires a lot of work and dedication from the STEPS staff who deserve a tremendous amount of credit for its success . It also requires the long-term financial commitment of WVU and the generosity of donors . With this dedication and support , we are confident great things will continue to happen with STEPS , and by extension , healthcare in West Virginia .”
Most recently , in 2022 , the center added an operating room that is designed and equipped to simulate an operating room that would be used by WVU Medicine surgeons . The team has also grown to include 20 dedicated members and many more faculty educators .
“ The STEPS facility at WVU has been an integral part of my scholastic journey , quite literally , since day one of my academic career ,” said Kent Marshall , current WVU student earning dual medical and doctoral degrees and graduate of the School of Medicine ’ s bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degree programs in Exercise Physiology , said . “ Its impact spans all the way from my first Basic Life Support training during my bachelor ’ s degree to Advanced Cardiac Life Support and other specialized workshops in my master ’ s program , all the way through the comprehensive MD / PhD workshops in ultrasound , patient care , and surgical techniques .
“ The technology and , more importantly , the faculty and staff of STEPS have been unwavering for me at each milestone . Their role in my education has been nothing short of essential and they have allowed me to navigate complex topics that would be difficult to teach through any other manner or medium . I am deeply grateful for the STEPS family ’ s role in shaping me into the capable student I am today , and the physician I will be in the future .”
In addition to providing innovative experiences for learners on the Morgantown Campus , STEPS serves as a resource and provides support for simulation labs on the WVU Beckley , Bridgeport , Keyser , Charleston , and Eastern campuses .
STEPS has attained full accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in the areas of Core , Assessment , Research , Teaching / Education , and Systems Integration , a distinction achieved by less than 3 % of the more than 700 registered centers worldwide . STEPS is also the only center in West Virginia that is accredited in all these areas , and WVU is home to two of the less than 125 individuals worldwide who have achieved the distinction of Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced .
West Virginia Medical Journal • December 2024 • 31