The patient lying in a hospital bed in the new mobile unit unveiled Friday by Phoebe looks real.  He certainly sounds real.  He’s able to carry on conversations about his symptoms, health history, even current events or today’s weather.  But the patient is actually an advanced, AI-powered healthcare simulation mannequin that is just one high-tech feature of the Phoebe Simulation & Innovation Mobile Unit.  Phoebe celebrated the launch of the groundbreaking training center on wheels with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Medical Arts students from Merry Acres Middle School on Friday. 

“The purpose of our mobile unit is to inspire and engage young people to pursue careers in healthcare and to expose students to opportunities that they may not have ever thought or known about,” said Tracy Suber, EdD, Phoebe Putney Health System Vice President for Education & Talent Acquisition.  “Allowing students in the Medical Arts Magnet program at Merry Acres to be the first to utilize this facility is perfect because these are the healthcare professionals of tomorrow we’re trying to inspire.”

In addition to the AI mannequin, the $1.2 million mobile unit includes a fully functional simulation room for realistic healthcare scenario training and a debrief room where students and staff can review and discuss their performance following a scenario.  The unit also features the Phoebe Cloud Clinic, a virtual reality game developed specifically for Phoebe in conjunction with the Savannah College of Art and Design, further enhancing the interactive learning experience. 

“This is one more way Phoebe is leading the way in healthcare workforce development.  We cannot recruit our way out of the shortage of nurses and physicians that is plaguing the entire country.  We have to show young people the incredible options available to them right here in southwest Georgia and grow our own future healthcare professionals,” said Scott Steiner, Phoebe Putney Health System President & CEO.

Steiner also expressed gratitude to 2^nd District Congressman Sanford Bishop who secured a grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to fund most of the project.  “Congressman Bishop is a staunch advocate for improving access to care and improving the quality of healthcare for the people of southwest Georgia.  We greatly appreciate his support in helping us get this mobile unit on the road to educate and inspire students,” Steiner said.

In addition to visiting schools and organizations that serve young people, the unit will also be used to train Phoebe staff.  “It’s primarily a recruitment tool, but we will also use it to educate our teams.  We’ll be taking it to our hospitals in Americus and Sylvester and our clinics throughout the region, so employees don’t have to travel to the Phoebe Simulation & Innovation Center on our main campus in Albany for training to enhance their skills and reinforce our commitment to patient safety,” Suber said.

Anyone interested in bringing the unit to their group should call the Phoebe Simulation & Innovation Center at 229-312-1371.