Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has launched the Dairy Cares of Wisconsin Simulation Lab, a state-of-the-art training facility that will allow medical professionals to learn and sharpen their skills.
The Milwaukee-based, 2,000-square-foot lab marks a milestone for Dairy Cares, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $1 million for Children’s in the eight years since its inception.
“The Dairy Cares of Wisconsin Simulation Laboratory helps educate and train our providers as they practice life-saving skills, so they are prepared to perform at the highest level in the worst-case scenario,” said Dr. Mike Meyer, medical director of Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. “Provider education and training allows us to give kids the best care possible, and our simulation laboratory is light-years ahead of other simulation labs because of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin’s generous support.”
Members of the Dairy Cares organizing committee recently had an opportunity to tour the facility, where computer-controlled automatons — ranging from a prematurely born baby to a full-grown adult male — are used to recreate a broad array of medical crises. By practicing on non-human subjects, doctors, nurses and other health care professionals can diagnose and treat serious symptoms in a controlled, safe setting.
“The opportunity to see this facility really opened my eyes to the difference the Dairy Cares organization is making for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin,” said Jim Ostrom, dairyman and co-founder of the non-profit organization. “It is such a privilege to have the lab named after our organization and, more importantly, for our dairy community to play a part in saving and bettering the lives of children.”
The visit comes after Meg Brzyski Nelson, president of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation, announced this summer that the simulation lab would be named after the organization that has cumulatively raised more than $1 million for Children’s.
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support we have received from Dairy Cares. It will help us teach tomorrow’s pediatric doctors, nurses and other care providers,” said Peggy Troy, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “Behind every program Children’s delivers is the support we rely on from our donors and partners in the community, and the Dairy Cares of Wisconsin Simulation Laboratory is a great example of this.”
Individuals or organizations interested in supporting Dairy Cares of Wisconsin’s fundraising efforts benefiting Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin can learn more at chw.org/dairycares. For more information on becoming a Dairy Cares sponsor, visit dairycaresofwisconsin.org.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is ranked in eight specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children’s provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2017, Children’s invested nearly $103 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, visit the website at chw.org.
For more information: Contact Avi Stern at astern@milksource.net or (920)759-4673
