WEST LAFAYETTE — The Purdue University Global School of Nursing has partnered with Dallas County Hospital to create a more efficient and innovative learning model that meets the needs of Purdue University Global students, Dallas County Hospital staff, and the community. The joint venture will include a state-of-the-art simulation center at Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa.
The simulation center will utilize a family of high-fidelity, Gaumard brand manikins that include an infant, child, birthing mother, and adult. The space will consist of two large high-fidelity simulation suites staged to mock hospital rooms with audio/video capabilities, a master control room, two conference rooms to hold debriefings, a skills lab practice room, a break area, nurses’ station, central supply area, medication preparation space, offices, and storage space.
Additionally, the organizations will work together to create mutually beneficial interprofessional simulation experiences where multiple health care professionals will practice patient and family cares together.
“We are excited to partner with Dallas County Health, creating a state-of-the-art simulation facility that enables our nursing students and health care colleagues to engage in immersive learning with a keen training focus on patient safety, high reliability, and quality of care, all while fostering interprofessional collaboration serving the rural community,” said Melissa Burdi, Purdue University Global vice president and dean of the School of Nursing.
In a joint statement, Dallas County Hospital chief executive officer Angela Mortoza and chief clinical officer Cindy Peeler said: “Dallas County Hospital is elated to bring our communities Purdue University Global. The past two-plus years have displayed the vitalness and heroism of nurses and shown the necessity of molding the next generation of nurses to care for our communities. Our partnership will allow the ability to provide the tools, education, and experience needed for new nurses to embark upon their careers and display the same levels of compassion and competency we witness in our staff today. We are honored to play a part in nurses’ journeys here and look forward to making a positive difference not only at DCH but in our surrounding health care communities.”
Purdue University Global has similar simulation partnerships with UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa, Iowa, and CHI Health St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.
About Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits, and other considerations – no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue University Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue University’s flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering, and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit purdueglobal.edu.
About Dallas County Hospital
Originally known as the King’s Daughter’s Hospital, Dallas County Hospital was founded in 1954 and is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving patients from Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, and Boone counties. The hospital is governed by a Board of Trustees with seven members elected by the residents of Dallas County. Over the years, Dallas County Hospital has continued to focus on providing the highest quality health care to the people we serve through our knowledgeable staff and physicians, up-to-date facility, and modern equipment. Our mission at Dallas County Hospital is “To improve the health of the people we serve” and our vision is “Partnering to deliver quality health care now and into the future through passionate caregivers with open arms.” Today, we strive to bring specialized health care services such as radiology including mammography, chemotherapy, surgical, lab services, and therapy services close to home. From wellness and prevention to the common cold or a serious illness, our physicians and staff continue to recognize their responsibility to serve the community and set the standard in compassionate, convenient, and cost-effective medical care.
Purdue University Global: Tom Schott, tschott@purdue.edu
Dallas County Hospital: Tom Harmsen, THarmsen@dallascohospital.org
Sources: Melissa Burdi, Angela Mortoza and Cindy Peeler
