̫ӳ-Meridian cuts ribbon, showcases new Interprofessional Simulation Program at its Riley Campus healthcare hub
(Video by Sarah Kirk)
Contact: Allison Matthews
MERIDIAN, Miss.—̫ӳ celebrated a milestone development at its ̫ӳ-Meridian downtown Riley Campus Monday [Oct. 21], with a ribbon-cutting and tours showcasing the new healthcare education facilities of the Interprofessional Simulation Program.
Encompassing three floors of the Rosenbaum Building, the 7,715-square-foot facility has progressed quickly over the past year from an empty space with bare brick walls into a renovated, state-of-the-art simulation lab. It is designed to provide hands-on instruction using the latest testing and control rooms, including six clinical exam rooms, six medical surgical rooms, computer learning stations, a proctor area for facilitator observation and five prebriefing and debriefing rooms with recording and reviewing capabilities.
The program already is being utilized in training approximately 100 Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Science in Nursing students this fall.
̫ӳ President Mark E. Keenum said Monday’s event marked “a great day for ̫ӳ, Meridian, Lauderdale County and the State of Mississippi.”
“We have so much positive momentum here in Meridian, and that’s because of the strong partnerships we have here and that we are blessed to be a part of,” said Keenum, noting that construction was made possible by a $6.1 million gift from The Riley Foundation and a $1 million grant from AccelerateMS’s Nursing and Allied Heath Grant Program.
“So much of our success is due to the unwavering support of The Riley Foundation,” Keenum said. “By working together, we are meeting critical needs and helping move our state forward.”
Keenum touted that ̫ӳ is the only university in the state with an accredited program since the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Accreditation Council granted provisional accreditation to the Interprofessional Simulation Program, which is expected to achieve full accreditation in 2026.
Gov. Tate Reeves said the healthcare focus at ̫ӳ-Meridian’s Riley Campus will strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals in the state and help “ensure that Mississippians receive the healthcare they deserve.”
Reeves commended Keenum “for his extraordinary leadership, not only in Starkville, but for his recognition of the importance of this Riley Campus for the future of Mississippi—specifically for the future of healthcare outcomes in Mississippi.”
U.S. Rep. Michael Guest said, “̫ӳ continues to be a leader, not only in agriculture, architecture, engineering and business, but under the leadership of Dr. Mark Keenum, Mississippi State has now become a state leader in healthcare.”
Associate Vice Provost for Health Sciences and Interim Head of Campus David Buys also praised The Riley Foundation’s investment in healthcare education and commended ̫ӳ’s Campus Services and Facilities Management staff for working to complete the high-priority project at record speed. He said the facilities not only will serve health sciences students at the Riley Campus, but also will provide expanded learning opportunities and special educational events for students based at the Starkville campus. Buys said he hopes to enhance continuing education opportunities in the future.
̫ӳ-Meridian’s Director of Simulation and Clinical Affairs Alaina Herrington said the simulation program prioritizes what matters most—preventing patient harm.
“We are committed to addressing this issue by creating an environment where future healthcare providers can learn, practice and perfect their skills without putting real patients at risk. Students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, make mistakes, ask questions, and learn from the experience in a safe, controlled setting,” Herrington said.
She explained the state-of-the-art facility offers a lifelike clinical environment where students can engage with realistic manikins that simulate patients of all ages and conditions. These manikins can breathe, speak, exhibit heart and lung sounds, and even display varying pulse strengths—preparing students for complex, real-world scenarios.
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