Georgia State officially opened a new clinical skills and simulation center in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions Jan. 25.

The new, 14,500 square-foot center, on the first floor of the Urban Life building, features 48 hospital beds and seating for 80 students in four clinical skills laboratories, in addition to six interprofessional education simulation suites. Students majoring in the health professions, particularly nursing, practice basic and advanced patient care skills from routine procedures to complex emergencies there on high-fidelity manikins.

The center's construction and equipment are funded by a grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation after an initial gift by the late Dr. Alice Demi. One of the center’s skills labs will bear her name.

"Philanthropy plays a critical role in supporting student success," said President M. Brian Blake said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Not only did the Woodruff grant fund the new center, it also financed nursing student scholarships."

“This center, equipped with the latest technology, is an inviting space for training our healthcare students,” said Dr. Huanbiao Mo, dean of the Lewis College. “It will help create better student outcomes and allow us to stand ready to strengthen the workforce, a hallmark of GSU and of the Lewis College. Our students will be among the most practice-ready of all health care graduates across the state.”

“The Lewis College Clinical Skills and Simulation Center is not just a facility; it's a commitment to excellence in nursing education," said Dr. Michelle Wallace, chief nursing officer of Grady Health System, who also spoke at the ceremony. "It's about preparing our future nurses with the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate the complexities of health care. Through state-of-the-art simulation technology, our aspiring nurses will have the opportunity to practice and refine their abilities in a controlled, realistic environment.”

Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard added, “It is a dynamic space that will foster interdisciplinary learning and ultimately contribute to the improvement of healthcare outcomes in the Atlanta community and beyond.”

The center opened to health profession classes in early January.