MSU-Meridian Simulation Center training future healthcare professionals
Contact: Marianne Todd
MERIDIAN, Miss.—More than 200 future physicians assistants, nurses, nutritionists and social workers will receive experiential education this year at Mississippi State University-Meridian’s Interprofessional Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art facility preparing students for real-life medical situations.
Opened in 2024, the 7,715-square-foot facility is the only provisionally accredited simulation center housed at a Mississippi university. It features space for practicing clinical exams, surgical procedures and other care, along with a proctor area for facilitator observation and pre- and post-scenario debriefing rooms with recording and reviewing capabilities.
Located on the third floor of the Rosenbaum Building, the program was made possible by a $6 million gift from The Riley Foundation and a $1.06 million grant from AccelerateMS’s Nursing and Allied Health Grant Program.
“So far, we have mainly served nursing and physician assistant students, and we’re thrilled to expand our reach even further,” said Alaina Herrington, director of simulation and clinical affairs. “Since August, we have logged nearly 5,000 learner hours—a testament to the quality and impact of our training programs.”
Last fall, the center welcomed nutrition students into the program, while administrators invited future social workers to practice this month. The center will integrate learners from other MSU-Meridian degree programs this summer and add virtual reality tools into obstetrics simulations.
“This cutting-edge technology is set to provide an even more immersive, realistic learning experience, preparing our learners to confidently manage complex OB scenarios,” she said.
Student feedback about the center has been eye-opening, said Kayla Carr, professor of nursing and accelerated MSN program director.
“The only issue students had was wanting more time there,” Carr said. “Students start with fundamental nursing practices and by the final term, they are managing multiple patients, leading interprofessional teams and practicing high-level prioritization and delegation.”
Simulated environments are effective for “bridging the gap between theory and practice, and providing a deeper understanding of the complexities of healthcare and the role social workers play,” said Angela Savage, director of MSU-Meridian’s social work program.
“We tell our MSN students that the simulation center is a place to be brave,” Carr added. “It’s a safe environment where they can practice split-second decision-making and high-stakes scenarios so they’re competent and ready to act in practice.”
For more information about MSU-Meridian, visit www.meridian.msstate.edu.
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