Simulation-Based Clinical Training Expansion - Clinical Simulation Enhancement for Healthcare Workforce Development This project supports the strategic investment of $400,000 in previously allocated HRSA-managed congressional funding to upgrade and expand clinical simulation infrastructure within the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee College of Health Professions & Sciences. Funding will be used to acquire high-fidelity clinical simulation manikins, trainer models, and critical interdisciplinary training equipment to enhance the education and clinical preparation of students in Nursing, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Athletic Training (AT), Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), and related health professions programs. High-fidelity simulation is essential to modern healthcare education and workforce preparation. These resources will significantly increase access to realistic, hands-on clinical training environments, allowing students to practice essential skills in high-acuity and low-frequency scenarios without risk to patients. The enhanced simulation capacity will expand clinical training hours, reduce reliance on variable clinical site availability, and ensure that students develop critical competencies aligned with contemporary healthcare demands. Additionally, the equipment will support interprofessional education, enabling team-based training that mirrors real-world healthcare delivery and strengthens collaborative practice across disciplines. This initiative directly advances federal workforce priorities by increasing the number of practice-ready healthcare professionals, improving patient safety and quality of care, and strengthening healthcare system resilience. Simulation-based training improves learner confidence, clinical decision-making, and technical proficiency while reducing training-related risks and long-term system costs associated with preventable errors. These outcomes are particularly critical as healthcare systems face growing workforce shortages and increasing patient complexity. The return on investment is substantial and sustainable. The equipment will be shared across multiple programs—including Nursing, PT, OT, SLP, AT, Radiography, and Sonography—maximizing utilization across diverse student cohorts and clinical scenarios. This interdisciplinary model ensures efficient use of federal resources, supports scalable program growth, and strengthens UWM’s role as a key contributor to Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce pipeline. In summary, this investment in advanced clinical simulation and training equipment is critical to delivering high-quality, evidence-based healthcare education. It will expand training capacity, enhance student learning outcomes, improve patient safety, and prepare graduates with the skills, confidence, and competencies needed to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Wisconsin and the nation.
