The Kae Peterson Clinical Excellence Training Center facilitates state-of-the-art simulation drills to train clinical staff, supported by donors Mike and Mary Kay Hallman.
Unexpected scenarios and rare complications happen every day in patient care. When those situations arise, clinicians have to work quickly to perform procedures and treat conditions that they may see only once or twice in their careers. Hands-on, continual clinical training is essential to be prepared.
At EvergreenHealth, clinical staff undergo continuing education at the newly dedicated Kae Peterson Clinical Excellence Training Center, a classroom and simulation lab made possible by donors Mike Hallman and his late wife, Mary Kay.
“Having seen EvergreenHealth’s superb patient care, and with the ongoing crisis in health care finances and staffing, Mary Kay and I saw an opportunity to support the hospital in a way that directly benefits patient care,” Mike said. “Current staff get top-of-the-line practical training, and the hospital is more attractive to highly qualified staffing candidates.”
During his long career in the tech and aerospace industry, including roles at IBM, Microsoft, Boeing and NASA, Mike saw firsthand how high-quality simulation training instills the muscle memory needed in an emergency situation.
“Education has always been top priority for Mary Kay and I in our philanthropy, and for me now that she has passed,” he said. “Investing directly in the hospital where my granddaughters were born was a very natural thing to do – there are so many benefits to this training center, and it’s truly amazing to see in action.”
A major part of that investment is four very special “patients” – clinical mannequins designed to simulate symptoms and scenarios that real patients experience. They include an obstetric mannequin to simulate complications during childbirth and a tiny “preemie” mannequin to support neonatal drills. The high-fidelity adult mannequins can simulate breathing, sweating, eye movement and a host of other physiological symptoms. They also have interchangeable parts with varying skin tones to further reflect real-life patient care.
“Historically, clinical education involves a lot of imagination,” said Deann Edgers, Director of Educational Services and Professional Practice at EvergreenHealth. “It’s often patched together with very few resources – which is why our training center is so special. As an educator, Mike and Mary Kay’s dedication to this training warms my heart.”
This is the difference just one gift can make in our community. It’s a direct investment in healing at a time of financial uncertainty across the health care industry. Get in touch with us to discuss how your gift could make an impact or give directly at evergreenhealthfoundation.com/donate.
This story originally appeared in the summer 2024 edition of Giving Matters.