The Technical College of the Lowcountry Foundation Inc. has been awarded a $50,000 Community Investment Grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to support the purchase of a high fidelity simulator for health sciences programs.  TCL Area Commission Chair Gen. Arthur E. Brown Jr., Foundation Vice Chair Sarah Reed, and Nursing Instructor Stephanie Lawson attended the recent awards ceremony.

[caption id="attachment_10572" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/School-TCL.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-10572" alt="TCL Nursing Instructor Stephanie Lawson (left) and TCL Foundation Vice Chair Sarah Reed accept a $50,000 check from the Community Foundation of Lowcountry." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/School-TCL-300x277.jpg" width="300" height="277" /></a> TCL Nursing Instructor Stephanie Lawson (left) and TCL Foundation Vice Chair Sarah Reed accept a $50,000 check from the Community Foundation of Lowcountry.[/caption]

“We are so grateful for this generous support from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry,” TCL Foundation Executive Director Louise Mathews said. “These funds will directly benefit our students and enhance their learning experience while at TCL.”

The high-fidelity simulator can be programmed to simulate cardiac and pulmonary incidents, disease symptoms, and even patient responses to pain.

“‘Sim-Man’ can mimic many situations that nurses and other health care professionals will encounter in the workplace,” dean of health sciences Marge Sapp said. “This simulator can do and say just about anything a human body can.”

Because of these life-like simulations, the Sim-Man will help students learn using real-life scenarios.

“The Sim-Man will give students valuable hands-on practice in a laboratory setting,” director of nursing Sharon Beasley said. “This experience is critical in preparing our students to enter into clinical practice with our health care partners across the Lowcountry.”

The grant is an important first step in raising funds for new health sciences equipment, but funds are still needed to complete the purchase the Sim-Man that costs about $85,000. Through the CODE TCL campaign, the TCL Foundation seeks to raise $400,000 over four years for health sciences equipment, Mathews said.

“New technologies evolve each year and in order for our graduates to receive the relevant educational experience necessary for today’s healthcare facilities, TCL must remain on the cutting-edge,” Mathews said.

TCL has graduated about 500 health care professionals in nursing, radiological technology, surgical technology, physical therapist assistant and massage therapy programs in the last five years.

“Our graduates touch the lives of Lowcountry residents every day by providing the quality health care that our region desires and expects,” President Dr. Tom Leitzel said. “TCL is a major economic driver in our healthcare community – we provide the workforce needed to sustain our communities’ healthcare.”

A complete listing of equipment needs and naming opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Mathews at 843-470-5962 or visit www.tcl.edu/foundation.
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