CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Nov. 14, 2025)–Kirkwood Community College students from the Nursing, Paramedic, and Respiratory Therapy programs collaborated in a large-scale healthcare simulation on Nov. 12 and 13 at the institution’s Katz Family Healthcare Simulation Center, giving future healthcare professionals the chance to practice emergency response in real time.
The event, held at Kirkwood’s 12,000-square-foot simulation center, mirrored a real-world emergency medical situation. Students from multiple disciplines worked together to assess, treat and stabilize patients in a simulated critical care scenario. The goal was to enhance teamwork, communication and decision-making, which are essential skills in emergency healthcare settings.
The simulation included separate morning and afternoon sessions on Nov. 12, as well as a final session that happened the morning of on Nov. 13.
“At Kirkwood, we take pride in being innovative in health education, creating hands-on, collaborative experiences that prepare our students for real-world excellence,” said Respiratory Therapy Program Director Liliana Hoffnagle. “Our students’ participation in interprofessional education highlights the excellence of collaborative learning in our Simulation Center, where teamwork and communication translate into better patient care.”
According to Assistant Professor of Nursing Stephanie Klappholz, simulations like this are critical to developing interprofessional understanding.
“Most students in healthcare fields don’t often get the chance to work closely with other disciplines until they’re already licensed and on the job. Simulations like this give them hands-on experience navigating those differences and working as a true team.”
The Katz Family Healthcare Simulation Center, the first fully integrated multidisciplinary simulation facility in Iowa, features seven patient care areas, ten medical simulators, and state-of-the-art audio/visual technology. Opened in 2009, it serves Kirkwood’s 20 credit and non-credit health programs as well as regional healthcare partners.
For more information on Kirkwood’s Health programs, go to www.kirkwood.edu/health.