Northern Ontario Simulation Lab Expands Training

Health Sciences North’s Simulation Lab in Sudbury is northern Ontario’s only facility of its kind, providing healthcare students with a safe, hands-on training environment for over a decade. Originally based in the Outpatient Clinic and now located in the hospital, it offers students the chance to practice procedures like IV insertion, CPR, wound care, and surgeries on mannequins before treating real patients.

“It’s very important for learners to be able to practice in a controlled environment outside of direct patient care,” said Alex Wood, the lab’s manager.

Last year, the lab trained over 2,500 students from Health Sciences North, NOSM University, Laurentian University, and other programs. The facility is expanding with virtual reality and plans for AI integration. Wood noted that VR helps engage more learners while controlling costs, with remote virtual simulation already tested successfully.