South College conducts emergency medical simulation drills across healthcare disciplines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2025

South College conducted medical crisis drills that challenged students in multiple programs to respond to a potential medical emergency offering hands-on experience and collaboration across the continuum of care.

“We create these training opportunities for our students to simulate what could occur in a real-life healthcare setting, so that they are prepared to react to an emergency when decisive action is paramount,” said Neil Heatherly, campus president for South College Knoxville. “By involving multiple programs such as Nurse Anesthesia, Physician Assistant (PA) and Doctor of Pharmacy, students gain an understanding of how professionals from different disciplines work together to optimize patient outcomes.”

The simulation started in the Nurse Anesthesia lab where third-year students responded to a mock medical crisis requiring “all hands.” This event was immediately followed by an interdisciplinary medical drill in the simulation (SIM) lab where Physician Assistant (PA) students collaborated with professionals in different disciplines including Doctor of Pharmacy students to respond to a potential medical emergency using an advanced simulation mannequin that mimics responses and vital signs.

“These simulated events are so important to allow our students to react to a potential medical emergency, so that they can be prepared if a crisis ever unfolds in a healthcare setting,” Heatherly said. “The students also gain experience working together with other specialty fields to learn how to collaborate to provide the full spectrum of patient care.”

South College offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE.

To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.

About South College

South College serves more than 15,000 students and is proud of its more than 17,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Marietta, Georgia; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.

South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.