The University of Chicago Medicine’s Simulation Center serves as a dynamic bridge between the Biological Sciences Division’s world-class medical education and the real-world workflows of our health system, creating a seamless pathway from learning to practice. By integrating simulation into both academic curricula and operational initiatives, we ensure that trainees and clinicians alike engage in hands-on, system-relevant experiences that mirror the complexity of actual care environments. Whether it’s onboarding physician trainees, refining clinical pathways, or testing innovations in situ, the Simulation Center embeds continuous learning directly into the fabric of our workforce. This unique alignment fosters a culture of excellence, agility, and shared accountability where education evolves in lockstep with patient care.
“We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training” – Archilochus
Clinical Skills
Simulations allow teams to practice life-saving protocols, often for High-stakes scenarios (e.g., code blue, trauma, mass casualty), strengthening technical and non-technical skills without risk to patients.
Surgical Skills
Surgical teams refine procedural skills, advance complex surgical techniques, and enhance precision through the use of robotic simulators, virtual reality, and our cadaveric lab. This program cultivates procedural readiness and skills mastery.
Systems Testing
Simulation-based clinical systems testing (SbCST) is used to identify and mitigate latent safety threats prior to an environmental change (i.e. CT Scan down) or new facility opening. This ensures operational readiness and preparedness for emergency response teams.
Digital Innovation Development
We harness high-fidelity clinical environments to prototype, test, and refine emerging technologies. By embedding innovations directly into simulated clinical scenarios, we ensure that digital solutions are human-centered, safe, and operationally effective before they reach real patients. This translational approach accelerates innovation cycles, reduces costly implementation errors, and empowers frontline teams to shape technology that truly enhances care delivery.
Communication & Teamwork
Through facilitated debriefings and real-time feedback, participants uncover gaps, sharpen decision-making, and build trust across roles. Whether navigating a critical code blue or managing a difficult family conversation, simulation cultivates clarity, confidence, and cohesion under pressure. This results in stronger teams, safer patients, and a culture of communication that carries beyond the simulation lab into everyday clinical excellence.
Resuscitation Excellence
As an American Heart Association (AHA) Training Institute, we offer immersive, scenario-based training in realistic clinical environments, ensuring that life-saving skills are not only learned, but retained, measured, and continuously improved. The result: a culture of readiness, faster response times, and better outcomes when every second counts.
