Mon Health System and West Virginia Junior College Launch New Mobile Simulation Lab

Stephanie and Ron Stovash with Krystian Leonard, Miss West Virginia USA 2022

The West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) School of Nursing at Mon Health has unveiled the new Ron and Stephanie Stovash Mobile Simulation Center on wheels during an event at the Morgantown Marriott on May 11. The mobile simulation lab will provide access to nursing education for both currently practicing nurses and future nurses currently in nursing school.

This innovation has been made possible through the generosity of donations made by Ron and Stephanie Stovash, The Health Plan, and the Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust. The Mon Health Medical Center Foundation has also raised nearly $1 million in support of clinical education through this simulation program.

The Ron and Stephanie Stovash Mobile Nursing Center is a state-of-the-art, highly specialized vehicle. The 38-foot center is customized with two simulation hospital rooms, a central control room, high fidelity simulation manikins (adult, obstetric, and pediatric), sophisticated video recording and viewing technology, and other equipment and supplies needed for effective nursing skill training.

“Our healthcare system is always in need of skilled nurses throughout the state. This collaboration will allow our 18-month nursing program to extend the geographic reach of simulation training, especially in rural communities where access may be limited,” said Chad Callen, CEO of WVJC.

Simulation is becoming more commonly used to train nurses and other healthcare professionals, but it is often cost-prohibitive and affixed to one location. This innovative model makes simulation training mobile, expanding its access beyond a single location. For Mon Health System, this collaboration will provide simulation training for its current workforce at healthcare facilities throughout North Central West Virginia. For WVJC, the partnership adds a third mobile nursing lab, expanding its hybrid-online program currently offered throughout the state. The new mobile simulation lab is modeled after WVJC’s current lab, which you can tour by clicking here.

“This mobile simulation center is an amazing resource with many possibilities. We look forward to the incoming class at WVJC School of Nursing and all future nursing students to benefit from its robust training resources,” said Dr. Krystal Atkinson, Chief Nursing Executive at Mon Health System. “As many students plan to join the Mon Health team following graduation, we trust that they will enter their careers with the knowledge and experience they need to enhance the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time.”

The Ron and Stephanie Stovash Mobile Simulation Center will also be on display at Mon Health System facilities over the next few weeks for staff to tour.

To learn more about the WVJC School of Nursing at Mon Health, please call 877-25ONLINE or visit WVJC.edu.