Photo Credit: Georgia College & State University

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) has significantly enhanced its hands-on learning opportunities for students in the School of Nursing and other College of Health Sciences programs with the recent expansion of its Simulation and Translational Research Center (Sim Center). The state-of-the-art facility, which opened this fall, celebrated its official unveiling with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on September 18.

The newly renovated, 13,000-square-foot facility at 154 Roberson Mill Road in Milledgeville more than doubles the space of its previous 6,000-square-foot unit, which was housed at a local hospital. This substantial expansion was driven by a rapidly increasing demand to provide students with more simulated clinical hours, crucial for developing practical skills in a safe, controlled environment. Georgia College invested $633,000 into equipping the new space, which underwent a rapid transformation in just five months to meticulously imitate both hospital and doctor’s office settings.

Inside, the expanded Sim Center boasts nine high-fidelity suites—two more than its predecessor—each equipped with hospital beds and advanced robotic manikins designed to help future nurses and other health professionals prepare for real-patient interactions. The center also incorporates a wide array of simulation technology, simulated medical devices, and standardized participants—actors specially trained to serve in various patient roles. Collectively, these immersive resources provide students with over 27,000 total contact hours of simulation experiences annually.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Georgia College President Cathy Cox highlighted the center’s vital role in preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. “We look forward to continuing to pursue our goal of producing well-versed and real-world-ready health care leaders for our state and beyond,” said President Cox. “The Georgia College Simulation and Translational Research Center stands both as a symbol of collaboration and an exciting investment in the future of health care education in Georgia.”

The expanded Sim Center reinforces Georgia College’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge educational experiences, ensuring its health sciences graduates are exceptionally prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic healthcare landscape.