NYSIM celebrates milestone of serving 50,000 learners

On Thursday, July 23, the New York Simulation Center for the Health Sciences (NYSIM) celebrated a milestone moment of serving 50,000 learners—and counting! Students, faculty, administrators, and NYSIM staff members gathered to recognize this accomplishment and the simulation teaching facility’s ongoing impact on health care services in New York City.

As a partnership of the City University of New York and the NYU Langone Medical Center, NYSIM serves as a resource for hands-on training in patient care, as well as instructor training in simulation for faculty of both institutions. Since opening in 2011, the center has welcomed students and professionals from across the healthcare field, including medical and nursing students, physicians, nurses, pre-hospital providers, dentists, and allied health professionals—to participate in immersive training sessions with high-tech simulation equipment. Additionally, NYSIM has become a global destination for healthcare education, attracting industry professionals and their students from around the country and the world. Scholars and students from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Central and South America, as well as Africa, have visited the center and participated in simulation education programs.

“As a result of this partnership, the healthcare workforce is more skilled and more confident, better integrated into the healthcare world, and better able to carry out their essential work,” said Dr. Vita Rabinowitz, CUNY’s Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost, during Thursday’s event.

“The Sim Center is fundamental in educating our medical students and house staff in providing exemplary care,” said Dr. Robert Grossman, Dean and CEO of NYU’s Langone Medical Center, noting the link between student experiences at NYSIM and the medical center’s top ranking for quality and safety for the last two years.

Dr. Tony Perez, President of Borough of Manhattan Community College, echoed this sentiment and noted the significance of NYSIM’s commitment to providing consistent experiences and training to students at all levels of study and a wide variety of health fields, even to students who have not always had the same educational advantages and opportunities. “They get to share and stand side-by-wide in this facility that is providing the best training possible,” he said.

“The center’s staff has created programs, trained other people, and catalyzed this tremendous growth,” said Dr. Steve Abramson, Senior Vice President and Vice Dean for Education, Faculty and Academic Affairs at NYU Langone Medical Center. “It’s an extraordinary story of success and what a small number of really talented and passionate people can accomplish.”

In closing, NYSIM’s executive director Dr. Thomas Riles acknowledged the critical support of several donors, including Frank and Sarah Olson and James and Frances Berger, who attended the event. Their support, he said, allows the center to reach beyond student training and extend its programming to include symposia for students and faculty across the country, a lecture series with visiting professors, fellowships that bring in students from around the world, and other educational research efforts.

“We could be a great simulation center, but what makes it outstanding is the opportunity to advance simulation education not just in the country, but around the world,” he said.