United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden toured Mid-State Technical College’s Healthcare Simulation Center in Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, June 13. 

Following the tour, they touted the partnership behind the innovative training facility as a much-needed model for the country to expand rural access to health care. They also announced an additional $11 million to 15 organizations through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish new residency programs in rural communities.

The Simulation Center tour had Becerra and Tanden rolling up sleeves to engage in hands-on health care simulations with Mid-State students while learning more about the facility designed to meet the healthcare workforce shortage in central Wisconsin.

Mid-State’s Healthcare Simulation Center is a 12,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility made possible by a partnership between Mid-State, Aspirus Health and the Legacy Foundation of Central Wisconsin. Located on the third floor of Aspirus Riverview Hospital, it allows Mid-State to provide realistic clinical training scenarios for both inpatient and outpatient care using high-fidelity simulators, so students can safely learn skills in a hands-on environment. Scenarios include stroke, sepsis, bleeding, shock, birthing and more. 

Out of Mid-State’s 822 students enrolled in a health-related program in the 2023–24 year, 82 percent are from rural communities and many of these students train in the Simulation Center.

“This is the kind of model… that is clearly working and going to be producing really skilled professionals who will make good money but will hopefully help communities that need these professionals,” Becerra said.

Speaking to the huge demand in health care, Tanden said, “This new training model creates a lot less economic pressure on the participant, and just creates a much smoother pathway to a good-paying job at the end of the experience, and I think that’s the kind of innovation we want to see across the country.”

Third-semester Nursing student and mother of two Morgan Biba, Adams, says training in the Simulation Center has created a safe environment to learn, starting with the simple things like communicating with patients. “Being able to introduce yourself, explain what you’re going to be doing, and building that relationship with the client right off the get go is really important,” she said. “That has helped my confidence grow tremendously.”

“We are so proud of our partnership with Aspirus Health and the Legacy Foundation and what we have achieved together to make the Healthcare Simulation Center a reality,” said Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik. “Secretary Becerra and Director Tanden’s visit to see and experience how the Simulation Center is working to alleviate the healthcare workforce shortage in our communities shows that this innovative training model is gaining attention at every level. It tells us we are doing something right and making a real difference in the lives of our students and truly everyone across our communities.”

Learn more about the Healthcare Simulation Center and the College’s programs training in it at mstc.edu/sim-center.