The Simulation, Teaching and Academic Research Center - known as the STAR Center – at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital

Name: The Simulation, Teaching and Academic Research Center - known as the STAR Center – at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital

Funding: A $500,000 grant from the Highmark Foundation; $105,000 from The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation for renovation costs, and a $97,500 Pennsylvania Workforce grant.

Opening date: Grand Opening, Oct. 16, 2007; classes began Sept. 4, 2007

Leadership: Donald J. Wilfong, M.D., Medical Director; Cindy Carlson, Director of Administrative Operations; Donamarie N. Wilfong, MSN, RN, Clinical Operations Director

STAR Center’s motto: "I am still learning" - Michelangelo

STAR Center’s human-patient simulators: Six full-size mannequins including the extraordinarily lifelike “SimMan.” The Center is also home to several Partial Task Trainers, body parts that teach specific skills.

SimMan’s human characteristics: The simulators breathe, talk, bleed, cough and wheeze; have a blood pressure, heartbeat and pulse, and speak many languages fluently.

STAR Center facilities: Conference Room, Nursing Lab, Surgical Skills Center, two full-size simulation rooms, four simulation bays, a nursing station, a simulation patient room, control and computer rooms.

Who will use the STAR Center: Nursing and allied health students, medical residents, practicing clinicians, researchers, first responders such as emergency medical technicians, schools, organizations.

SimMan’s maker: Laerdal, a Norwegian manufacturer that was one of the creators of Resusci Anne, a CPR training mannequin widely used throughout the world.