© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

OU, TU Officials, Faculty and Students Break Ground on Medical Training Center

Matt Trotter
/
KWGS

Construction officially starts on a training center at the Tulsa School of Community Medicine.

The Tandy Education Center will feature the latest in medical simulation, allowing medical students to gain realistic experience. School of Community Medicine Dean Ondria Gleason said this is the direction med school is going.

"As those in the field of medical education and the public have turned more attention to patient safety, medical simulation helps learners deal with anticipated medical events and work as a team in a safe, risk-free environment," Gleason said.

The $6.4 million, 16,000 square foot facility will have all sorts of high-tech simulation equipment, but it will also allow med students to work with actors portraying patients. Fourth-year medical student Grace Kirkpatrick said she had that experience in Oklahoma City while preparing for her third year.

"All aspects of our medical education are invaluable, but I think that learning to be able to interact with patients is what truly makes us great doctors," Kirkpatrick said.

The center will include 10 exam rooms and an apartment model for in-home situations.

A grant from the Tandy Foundation will fund construction of the facility. The school is a joint venture of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.