Simulation & Clinical Skills Center
Pamela C. Williams, M.D., Simulation & Clinical Skills Center
The Pamela C. Williams, M.D., Simulation and Clinical Skills Center is an 8,000-square-foot facility used for the simulation of medical procedures such as operations, medical examinations, and deliveries of babies. The state-of-the-art facility offers a new training experience for medical students to gain hands on experience as they replicate medical procedures in a controlled and stress-free environment.
Simulators help students learn important skills such as team-building, critical-thinking, decision-making, and how to perform under pressure. The Pamela C. Williams, M.D., Simulation and Clinical Skills Center allows medical students to simulate situations that range from routine medical check-ups to complicated surgeries, all performed on life-like manikins.
Meharry’s simulation equipment includes:
SimMan 3G
SimMan 3G is a wireless full-body manikin/simulator that serves as a simulated patient. He’s so lifelike that he can talk, breathe, shed tears, and even bleed. He can be programed to simulate countless medical conditions and even has the ability to go into cardiac arrest. When given a medication, SimMan provides the appropriate physiological response. Students can perform procedures on SimMan that range from a basic blood pressure check to a complicated surgery.
NOELLE® Maternal and Neonatal Birthing Simulator
Noelle is a full-body, female, advanced childbirth simulator that provides a complete birthing experience before, during, and after delivery. She is so realistic that student-doctors can actually listen to her baby’s heartbeat. She is able to dilate and she can even bleed from the cervix. Students can monitor her vitals on monitoring equipment in the simulation center.
Pediatric HAL
Pediatric Hal is a pediatric simulator that looks and acts like a five-year-old patient. His eyes move, he has a pulse, and a heartbeat. His breathing pattern can change and his lung sounds can range from normal, to wheezing, to a crackling sound that may indicate a respiratory disease. His skin allows students to attach real electrodes and defibrillator pads so they can track cardiac rhythms on their own equipment just as they would with a human patient.
Newborn HAL
Newborn Hal is an advanced neonatal patient simulator that looks like a newborn baby. He comes to life with pre-recorded crying sounds. Hal’s chest rises and falls while breathing and he can even turn blue when deprived of air. Students can monitor his breathing and his heartbeat and he can be programed to more than 20 scenarios that help students prepare for the critical care of newborns.




1985: Harold Barrows conducts Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) utilizing standardized patients workshop for faculty development
1987-1988: Internal Medicine Clinic implements Sophomore Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
1995-1996: Meharry students participated in senior Senior Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans , LA
1997: Clay E. Simpson, Jr. Clinical Skills Assessment Center created for instructional and evaluative programs including an audio-visual testing center designed for sessions utilizing standardized patients
1998: Senior Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) designed and implemented in the clinical skills assessment
1998-2003: Junior Clerkship Objective Structured Clinical Examination’s (OSCE’s) designed and implemented in Internal Medicine, OB-GYN, Pediatrics, and Surgery clerkship OSCE
1999-2000: National Board of Medical Examiners–Participated in pilot program validating the design and patient cases for STEP 2 Clinical Skills exam
2000: Sophomore physical diagnosis course–Implemented physical examination instructional workshops and clinical skills assessment sessions
2000: Sophomore physical diagnosis course–HIV/AIDS module implemented, a faculty-observed medical history and physical exam session of current AIDS patients
2002-2006: Vanderbilt School of Medicine’s medicine clerkship Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was implementation through the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance to assist in faculty development and student evaluation utilizing Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
2003: Relicensing for physician Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) designed and implemented for practicing physicians requiring a relicensing program including an individualized OSCE for state wide licensing
2003: Sophomore Physical Diagnosis course–Implemented preceptor sessions utilizing standardized patients
2005: Freshman Physical Diagnosis course– Implemented physical exams, instructional workshops, and clinical skills assessment sessions
2005: Freshman Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)– Designed and implemented
2007: Sophomore Physical Diagnosis Course–Implemented clinical skills enhancement sessions, which build physical exam skills in multiple organ systems utilizing standardized patients
2007: Conversion of clinical skills assessment center–audio visual testing center converted to digital and web-based format
Contact Professional & Medical Education
Dawn Zwart, BA, EMT-Paramedic
Simulation Lab Manager
Phone: 615.327.6565
Email: dzwart@mmc.edu
Our Facilities
Our state-of-the-art facilities are located on the lower level of S.S. Kresge Learning Resource Center. Recently renovated in 2012, these facilities feature:
- A 25-person conference room
- An operating room simulation room with one-way mirror and video monitoring
- Two intensive care unit simulation rooms with one-way mirrors and video monitoring
- Ten exam rooms for standardized patient exams
- Video and monitoring capabilities
- A simulation center waiting area
If you are interested in becoming a standardized patient, please fill out an application.