UTHealth Houston students recently participated in a large-scale mass casualty simulation aimed at training them to respond effectively to such incidents.
The simulation, organized by UTHealth Houston’s Center for Interprofessional Collaboration, saw more than 300 student participants from various schools within the university providing medical care to victims of a fictional mass shooting.
According to Jordan Butler, coordinator II for Center for Interprofessional Collaboration, the successful execution of the simulation was thanks to the hard work of the faculty involved. Butler expressed, "It takes a lot of work to put all this together, but everything came together beautifully, and that’s thanks to all the faculty who put this together."
Elda Ramirez, PhD, a distinguished professor at Cizik School of Nursing and co-director of the center, highlighted the significance of such events in fostering teamwork among students. Ramirez stated, "Events like the one held today pull the students together in a meaningful way because students do multiple things together as a group."
The scenario not only tested the students' medical skills but also their ability to communicate, collaborate, and demonstrate leadership in a chaotic environment. Lorenzo Baeza, a fourth-year student at McGovern Medical School, shared his experience of taking charge during the simulation, saying, “I’m usually one to take direction. In a hazardous situation like today, I felt prepared and I took charge.”
The event aimed to provide students with hands-on experience in managing emergencies and working as a cohesive team. Faculty members observed the students closely, assessing their performance in assessing injuries, administering first aid, and coordinating care for the simulated victims.
Overall, the mass casualty simulation proved to be a valuable learning experience for UTHealth Houston students, allowing them to showcase their skills and readiness to handle challenging situations in a healthcare setting.
