Waycross, GA – Nurses in South Georgia now have a new opportunity to hone their skills. South Georgia State College and Memorial Satilla Health held a grand opening for the School of Nursing's state-of-the-art simulation lab today in Waycross. The lab opened just as nursing students arrived on campus for the new semester.
This cutting-edge facility provides students with an immersive learning environment that closely replicates real-world clinical settings with the use of AI-integrated manikins, advanced medical equipment, and realistic patient care scenarios. Students gain hands-on experience in a variety of clinical situations in a safe and controlled environment.
Memorial Satilla Health donated $100,000 to assist with build out costs for the lab. As part of HCA Healthcare - a company with more than 99,000 nurses - the hospital is actively involved in providing resources and education to equip the next generation of nurses.
"By supporting the construction of this advanced training facility, we are not only investing in the future of our nursing workforce but also ensuring our patients receive the highest quality of care,” said Dale Neely, CEO of Memorial Satilla.
“Memorial Satilla Health changes lives for the better, not only within its own hallways but also by supporting many community and educational projects throughout our region,” said Dr. Greg Tanner, SGSC interim president. “This gift will have a transformative impact on our nursing program, and I look forward to seeing our students and faculty reap the benefits of this partnership.”
The lab at SGSC is the second of its kind in the region to open in the last two years. HCA Healthcare partnered with University of North Florida in 2022 to open the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement at UNF in Jacksonville.
“This lab is a game-changer for our future nurses," said Celeste Brizzee, CNO at Memorial Satilla. "Students will benefit from the opportunity to engage in realistic clinical simulations that enhance their critical thinking, decision-making, and procedural skills.”
“Our faculty can now provide a more realistic hospital setting for our students on campus, which complements the valuable clinical experiences they already receive at the hospital,” said Dr. Jaime Carter, dean of SGSC's School of Nursing.