George Mason University’s Public Health University sets the gold standard for immersive technology in healthcare education. Jeff Joyner, president of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and Vice President of Operations, and two Mason School of Nursing Alumna-heater Causseaux, recently toured the lab for immersive technology and simulation led by Dean. Melissa Perry Chief Innovation Officer Bethany Cieslowski. Their visit highlighted Centara’s interest in strengthening simulation capabilities and exploring groundbreaking virtual reality advances at the University of Public Health (CPH).
Perry shared his vision of leveraging these tools to enhance learning experiences and preparing students for the complexity of real-world healthcare scenarios. “As the first public health university to be accredited by the Healthcare Simulation Association in 2024, George Mason is a pioneer in integrating immersive technology into interdisciplinary health education,” Perry said.
Cieslowski, Joyner, and Perry discussed the key role of intergenerational communication skills in modern health care as virtual nursing became more common.
“It’s very common for overnight shift nurses to be early in their careers, but virtual nurses may have 30 years of experience,” says Cieslowski. “Scenarios that help these nurses communicate more effectively during simulated medical emergencies are extremely valuable.”
Lab Virtual Reality (VR) simulations fill this gap by providing real-world situational awareness in a secure, controlled environment. Students can repeatedly engage in high-pressure scenarios and hone their skills without any actual consequences.
One such example is pediatric emergency simulations in which students practice managing rapidly evolving situations. This means temporarily calming parents in distress, addressing patient needs, ordering important tests such as chest x-rays and labs, and coordinating with providers. By combining didactic learning with immersive experience, students build confidence and ability to handle complex medical events.
“The experience students gain in Mason’s lab for immersive skills help them respond effectively to the complex situations they face in the field in real time, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes,” says Causseaux. “Students have greater confidence based on these innovative tools that are transforming healthcare.”
As Sentara explores opportunities to further integrate immersive technologies, our partnership with the University of Public Health offers exciting opportunities to enhance health education across the industry. With cutting-edge technology, visionary leadership and commitment to innovation, George Mason is shaping the future of interprofessional health education. One immersive experience at a time.
