New simulation space brings learning to life at Dalhousie

Dalhousie’s Centre for Collaborative Clinical Learning and Research (C3LR) is entering an exciting new chapter with the opening of a modern, high-fidelity simulation space on the fourth floor of the Collaborative Health Education Building (CHEB). 

The June 17 opening brought together faculty, students, government representatives, and supporters to celebrate a significant step forward in simulation-enhanced interprofessional education that will shape how future healthcare providers learn, collaborate, and deliver care. 

“This is an exciting time for our C3LR team as we celebrate the much-needed expansion of our simulation spaces,” says C3LR director, Noel Pendergast. 

A space designed for real-world care 

The new facility represents a major leap forward for the C3LR, and for simulation-based education at Dalhousie, introducing advanced simulation capabilities that were previously unavailable.  

Until now, C3LR’s existing simulation environments were considered medium-fidelity, designed to replicate settings such as hospital wards and primary care clinics, whereas the new fourth-floor suites are capable of recreating high-acuity environments like intensive care units, operating rooms, emergency departments, and labour and delivery suites. 

During the opening event, guests had the opportunity to tour the space and see demonstrations of specialized technology in action, including advanced simulation manikins. These wireless manikins are remarkably lifelike, capable of breathing, producing heartbeats, and even exhibiting physical responses such as sweating, all designed to mirror real patient interactions as closely as possible. 

When used by learners, each simulation is followed by a structured debrief—an essential part of simulation-based education. The new suites include dedicated debriefing rooms adjacent to each simulation space, allowing teams to pause, reflect, and discuss what went well and what they would do differently.  

“Creating that space for reflection is intentional. Simulation training is designed to normalize learning through mistakes. It gives learners the confidence to ask questions, test their knowledge, and improve their skills without risk to patients,” says Pendergast. 

For students and health professionals alike, realism and the opportunity to make mistakes are key. The Centre allows them to practice responding to emergencies and making decisions while learning from mistakes without risk to patients. 

Built through collaboration and generosity 

A defining feature of the C3LR is its focus on simulation-enhanced interprofessional education, bringing together learners across the Faculties of Medicine and Health to train as teams.  

The opening event reflected this collaborative spirit. It was emceed by Riley Spencer, a student in the Physician Assistant program and Natasha Clavette-Seguin, a nurse practitioner student, highlighting the shared ownership of the space across programs. 

Equally important has been the financial support from the Province of Nova Scotia and philanthropic partners, including the Windsor Foundation.  

The Windsor Foundation has long supported the vision behind the Collaborative Health Education Building, helping create a hub for interprofessional health education and collaboration at Dalhousie. Today, that commitment continues, with their generosity helping advance the next phase of that vision through support for the expansion of the C3LR and its simulation-learning environments. 

MLA for Kings South, and Ministerial Assistant for the Department of Advanced Education, Julie Vanexan was also in attendance, representing the province as they were recognized for their role in bringing the project to life.  

The Province of Nova Scotia has been a key partner in strengthening healthcare education and workforce development. In 2023, it worked with Dalhousie to launch the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, creating a new pathway for training collaborative-care providers while helping address healthcare workforce needs across the province. 

The province has also supported efforts to expand the healthcare workforce through investments in programs that prepare physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other health professionals. Within Dalhousie's Faculty of Health, enrolment in the Nurse Practitioner program has doubled over the past five years, reflecting the growing importance of team-based primary care in Nova Scotia. 

Preparing the next generation of healthcare providers requires investment in both people and the tools, like simulation, that help them develop the skills needed for modern care. Support for programs that expand the healthcare workforce, alongside continued investment in infrastructure such as the C3LR simulation space, reflects a shared commitment to building a more responsive, team-based healthcare system in Nova Scotia. 

Speakers at the event included Pendergast, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. David Anderson, and Dr. Marion Brown, Associate Dean, Academics in the Faculty of Health, further highlighting the joint nature of the initiative.  

“The C3LR reflects the Faculty of Medicine's commitment to preparing learners for the realities of modern healthcare,” said Dean Anderson. “As we expand programs that train physicians, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals, it is equally important that we invest in the tools and learning environments that allow them to develop the skills, confidence, and collaborative mindset needed to deliver exceptional patient care. 

Pendergast affirmed the dean’s words, emphasizing that teamwork is at the heart of both the new space and the care it enables. 

“We know that when healthcare teams function at a high level, patients, families, and communities do better.”  

That impact is already being felt. The space has been used in recent months to train students and practicing healthcare professionals, who can rehearse high-acuity, low-occurrence (HALO) clinical scenarios or strengthen existing skills. 

In fact, the space was recently used by Nova Scotia Health's Trauma Nova Scotia program to train physicians, nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other health professionals for critical situations that clinicians may encounter infrequently but must be prepared to manage effectively. 

A vision still unfolding 

While the new space marks a significant milestone, it represents just one phase of a much larger vision for simulation-based education at Dalhousie. 

These new high-fidelity simulation suites are part of an initial expansion designed to meet growing demand for hands-on, team-based training. But that demand continues to rise. The simulation program is already operating at near full capacity, with learners across the Faculties of Medicine and Health relying on the space to build critical skills before entering clinical environments. 

The next phase of development will complete the remaining two-thirds of the fourth floor, adding new clinical simulation rooms, practical learning labs, and dedicated spaces for debriefing and skills training. 

Realizing that vision will require continued partnership, including support from donors. 

Together with government and university investment, philanthropic contributions will play a key role in expanding access to simulation-based learning, ensuring more students and health professionals can train in environments that reflect the complexity of modern care. 

For now, the impact is already clear. With its lifelike technology and emphasis on teamwork, the new C3LR simulation space is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet complex challenges with skill and confidence.