TFS Students Explore Careers in Medicine with Mobile Simulation Lab Experience

Inside several hospital rooms, students became doctors for a day, stepping into the roles of first responders and healthcare providers as they treated lifelike patients in a series of high-intensity scenarios. In one area, a group was tending to a young boy experiencing an allergic reaction; in another room, some students bravely packed a wound, while in a third space, a team assisted a mother during the final stages of childbirth.

Students from Tallulah Falls School, under the instruction of science teacher Ashley Patterson,

immediately got to work in the Northeast Georgia Health System Mobile Simulation Lab. Facilitators and subject matter experts use simulation scenarios to address low-volume, high-risk medical emergencies and enhance emergency preparedness. The simulation allows for hands-on learning in a safe environment. “We incorporate critical thinking, evidence-based practices, and professionalism into all simulation experiences,” their website states. “Interdisciplinary simulations enhance the efficiency of communication and teamwork.

Students were surprised by how real the simulation was. “The manikins talked and moved, which made it so interactive,” said senior Stasa Milisavljevic of Serbia. “Now we have a better picture of what it is like in real life.”

The students rotated through the three stations, finding valuable lessons at each. Senior Kaylin Pickett from Demorest was astonished by the significant blood loss from the open wound but was grateful for the hands-on experience. “It made me a little woozy at first, but now I know how to pack a wound,” she said. “It reinforced what we learned in our first aid and CPR training, such as assessing the scene for safety, talking to the patient, and informing them of our actions.”

Senior Jazlyn Burke of Baldwin learned more about the birthing process when they delivered a baby, including the steps and supplies needed to prepare for it. “You need towels, scissors, blankets, a cap, a diaper,” she said. “And a clamp!”

In the third scenario, students found themselves with a young child experiencing an allergic reaction who required an EPIPen. “We were surprised when the kid shouted, ‘I need my mom!’” a student remarked.

After a long wait, Tallulah Falls School was excited to welcome the lab experience to their campus. “We were on a lengthy waiting list,” Patterson explained. “It was worth it because the lab provided such a unique and impactful learning opportunity for our students.” For senior Kaitlyn Ivester, the experience solidified her passion for pursuing a career in medicine—just one of many ways TFS continues to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.