Fremont Health Foundation: Simulation Lab, Scholarships Among Ways We're Investing in Future

Educating Through Experience

Methodist Fremont Health and Midland University dedicated a new simulation laboratory in 2018. Funded solely through philanthropic support, the simulation lab features five state-of-the-art mannequins that breathe, talk, bleed and even give birth like real human beings.

This lifelike learning experience will help staff and students develop skills essential in actively and accurately caring for patients. Users will learn clinical and therapeutic techniques, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking on their feet, all in a risk-free environment.

Rooms are nearly identical to actual patient rooms, and the hospital’s equipment is used, adding another layer of real-life application. The lab also uses the hospital’s electronic health record system, so staff can train on logging and charting as they go.

The project was fully funded through donations, with a generous $500,000 lead matching grant from the Rupert Dunklau Foundation.

Funding for the Next Generation

Scholarships are a fundamental piece for students pursuing health care careers. In 2018, the Fremont Health Foundation awarded 17 students with $18,500 in scholarships. These scholarships are given to high school students entering college in the fall and to collegiate students who have completed a year of postsecondary education. The foundation also awards scholarships to children of Methodist Fremont Health employees pursuing careers in any course of study.

Looking toward the future of education, the foundation recently launched the Ignite Scholarship program. The program’s goal is to significantly grow the scholarship funds available for students as well as enhance and add scholarships – including larger grants, needs-based awards, renewable options, certificate programs and employee development funds. The program will also invest in ways to ignite greater interest in health care careers among youth in our area. To date, the program has raised nearly $70,000.