Healthcare Simulation Week was created to recognize global healthcare simulation
professionals who use simulation to improve the safety, effectiveness
and efficiency of health services every day. This week we raise awareness
of how Catawba Valley Medical Center’s partnership with Catawba
Valley Community College’s ValleySim Hospital leads to safer, more
knowledgeable patient care among healthcare professionals and students.
Catawba Valley Community College’s ValleySim Hospital is one of the
largest facilities of its kind devoted to healthcare simulation. ValleySim
first opened its doors on the fifth floor of CVCC’s Cuylar A. Dunbar
building in the Fall of 2011. In 2013, Catawba Valley Community College
formed a partnership with Catawba Valley Medical Center to assist in managing
the operation of ValleySim Hospital. Through varying educational methodologies,
the ValleySim staff can assist in immersive learning where learners can
respond to various patient conditions and then reflect upon their own
responses in debriefing sessions. The use of life-like manikins with varying
levels of complexity (human patient simulation), virtual reality computerized
animations, specialized trainers for repeated practice of medical interventions
(task trainers) and actors trained to behave and respond as patients (standardized
patients) are designed to improve systems and team performance across
healthcare disciplines. The primary goal of ValleySim is to support a
safer learning environment further enhancing patient outcomes across the
healthcare community.
With the realism of a hospital environment, ValleySim staff has hosted
a wide range of healthcare related events. Even various movies and short
films such as
Gigi and Nate, War Room, The Taking of Debra Logan and more. Photo shoots with companies like Rubbermaid, Protective Products
and other healthcare related organizations. Within the walls of Valleysim
they work very closely with the Nursing, Respiratory, Radiography, Surgical
Technologies, Nurse Assistant and Medical Assisting faculty of Catawba
Valley Community College. They even do simulations across the CVCC campus
in areas like Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services and even simulating
medical emergencies in area such as the machine shop. Catawba Valley Medical
Center educators come to ValleySim for Orientation Classes, Skills Validation,
Emergency Department Scenarios, Disaster Training and much more. ValleySim
staff works closely with Lenoir-Rhyne University’s BSN, FNP and
DNP programs, also looking forward to the return of the PA program. ValleySim
partners with many of the area High Schools and other local healthcare
professionals to provide hands on learning experiences. We have only just
begun our sim journey as we continue to add to all the disciplines, we
are connected to at CVCC, including a new Healthcare Cyber Security program.
We celebrate Healthcare Simulation Week as ValleySim continues to follow
the forward-thinking vision it was created upon and guided by for a bright
future. During this time, we celebrate the roles of the CVCC ValleySim
staff, Ray Combs and Ling Moua.
Ray Combs’ Healthcare Simulation journey began when he had decided
to leave his previous management roles in 2011, along with the support
of his wife Sheri who is a Surgical Support Nurse Practitioner who encouraged
him to seek a way to use his operations and technology skills to enter
into healthcare. During this early time period, he helped care for his
mom, Elsie, who was battling multiple myeloma. Encouragements from his
mom and support of his wife led him to graduate from Catawba Valley Community
College with a degree in Computer Engineering Technologies in May 2013,
a few weeks later his mom passed away.
In November 2013, beginning as the Simulation Technician, Ray joined Catawba
Valley Medical Center where his roles began to evolve at Catawba Valley
Community College’s ValleySim Hospital along with the entire healthcare
simulation industry. “With a broad range of technologies and medical
equipment, every day has become more and more exciting for everyone associated
with healthcare education.” Ray said.
In November of 2019, Ray assumed the role of Manager of ValleySim. Then
in the Fall of 2021, Ray began securing eligibility to obtain his Certified
Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist designation. In May 2022,
Ray received his Certification in Healthcare Simulation Operations from
the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
Ling Moua began his Healthcare career at a point where he was ready for
a change in his career path, his wife Betty who is a Radiography Technologist,
encouraged him to consider Biomedical Technologies since he enjoyed working
with computers and electronics. Ling graduated with honors with an Associate
Degree in Biomedical Technologies in 2011 from Caldwell Community College.
It was a big change, thrusting Ling into the extremely busy healthcare
environment and their reliance on medical equipment. Ling worked previously
for Atrium Cleveland and UNC Blue Ridge Health before looking to take
his technology skills to a different level.
In February of 2020, Ling joined Catawba Valley Medical Center at Catawba
Valley Community College’s ValleySim Hospital as the Technical Coordinator.
“With the addition of more and more simulation technologies and
medical equipment, Ling added a welcomed dimension to maintaining and
providing simulation for the future.” Ray Combs said. His role at
ValleySim continues to evolve and has him working extensively with CVCC’s
IT department. The newest project will create a dedicated network for
the ValleySim simulation operation and future plans for healthcare cybersecurity
simulation. As an active member of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
he is currently beginning the process for his eligibility for Certified
Healthcare Simulation Specialist.
Ray and Ling’s primary roles as defined by the Society for Simulation
in Healthcare is, “the implementation and delivery of simulation
activity through the application of simulation technologies such as computer,
audio-visual, or networking technologies.” Beyond the technical
jargon, they both enjoy their opportunity to connect with current and
future healthcare professionals. Especially when they see students returning
as healthcare professionals. Healthcare Simulation Week 2023. “Be
a Champion of Your Success Story.” #HcSimWeek