The University of the Virgin Islands School of Nursing unveiled a birthing simulator at its lab on the St. Thomas campus on Monday, Dec. 6. A $28,574 grant for two simulators, one for each campus, was given to the School of Nursing by the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation to purchase the equipment. The Gaumard Scientific NOELLE Advanced Maternal and Neonatal Birthing Simulators will allow all nursing students instruction in normal, abnormal and multiple deliveries. These advance birthing simulators are used worldwide by healthcare educators.“It rivals any university on the mainland and the world,” School of Nursing Dean Dr. Cheryl Franklin said of the equipment. “As nurses we have to anticipate everything,” Dr. Franklin said. The simulator allows students to work through many possible childbirth scenarios and gets them to critically think through problems, she said. “It lends itself to so much on-going teaching.” Dr. Franklin thanked the foundation for its continued support.
Pictured top: Dean of the School of Nursing Dr. Cheryl Franklin, Executive Director for the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation David Beal, Nursing Professor Meg Sheahan, Foundation Administrator for the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation Tina Beal, and Nursing Professor Dr. Marion Howard stand around the birthing simulator.
Pictured middle: A normal delivery is simulated.
Pictured bottom: A breech delivery is simulated.
