Earlier this week the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center broke ground for a new facility in Amarillo.

The clinical simulation center was approved by the University's Board of Regents in May.  It will be called The Panhandle Clinical Simulation Center or Sim Central for short.

The project is budgeted for $9.75 million.  The cost will be paid through tuition revenue bonds.  The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation also contributed $500,000 spent primarily on specialized simulation equipment to be used by students inside the new facility.

At the ground breaking ceremony nursing students from TTUHSC demonstrated using real life simulation in a learning environment.

The facility will feature more than 20,000 square feet and will provide a training environment utilizing high-tech mannequins and other computer software to teach nursing, medical, pharmacy, and allied health students.

The new facility will specialize in the ability to run specialized simulations covering an endless number of scenarios without the drawbacks of real work consequences as the students learn from their mistakes and learn real world applications for their skills.

It is hoped the building will open for teaching next fall.

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