Facility Design    One of the services provided by SimHealth Consultants is that of design in three areas of simulation: audio-visual and facility design, program design and curriculum and scenario design. Each area of design requires a high degree of collaborative skills ( a recognized specialty of the SimHealth Consultants), knowledge and experience. Most particularly, these skills and talents are imperative to have for facility design. Once a facility is constructed, it is not just a simple matter of rewriting a scenario to make an adjustment. Thought must be given not only to all of the common concerns that arise in planning any kind of facility from a concert hall to a shopping center, but to exactly how to optimize space and surroundings for teaching, for learning, for highly technical equipment. Additionally, successful facility design means working collaboratively with others outside of the medical professional who may have a different perspective of simulation. Within this 'medical educational environment, Dr. Seropian and Ms. Driggers developed the concept of the "Simulation Apartment" which very ingeniously couples educational theory and architectural design.

Dr. Michael Seropian, along with other SimHealth Consultants, contributed quite successfully to the design of a number of simulation facilities for institutions and other organizations. One of the most outstanding is the the work done with BSA LifeStructures, Architects on the Indiana University and Clarian Health partnership for Fairbanks Hall. This 30,000 square foot , high-fidelity simulation center is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country. A skills learning area and simulation areas-including an operating room, emergency room, patient care room, obstetrical rooms, intensive care unit rooms, debriefing rooms and classrooms-provide real-time virtual training. The result: enhanced patient safety, quality of care and clinical outcomes in the real healthcare environment.

Todd Buerger of BSA LifeStructures had this to say about Dr. Seropian and the SimHealth team: "When it comes to designing simulation centers, Dr. Michael Seropian of SimHealth Consultants LLC, greatly benefits the project process. He  contributes vision and an understanding of how simulation centers should function and how they can promote a sense of realism that immerses students in the environment. Working with Dr. Seropian helps us create simulation centers that balance the elements of a true healthcare setting with appropriate components and layouts that advance hands-on learning."  Todd Buerger, AIA, ACHA BSA LifeStructures

To the left and above are several architectural designs that have incorporated the 'simulation apartment' concept. Click on the images to enlarge them.