Simulation training equips more pediatric care teams with the latest techniques

In the crucial field of pediatric emergency care, every moment is vital, and every skill can mean the difference between life and death. 

Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, is expanding pediatric expertise across Ascension Florida’s sites of care through hands-on simulation-based training. 

SEAL (Simulating Emergency Action for Life) team medical director, Dr. Jeffery Beard and Richard Vigil, BSN, RN, have led 700 healthcare professionals across 12 healthcare locations through training designed to familiarize them with emergency situations they may not see frequently.

As Ascension Florida expands its healthcare footprint across the region, SEAL training will ensure children and their families will continue to receive the safest, highest level of care and specialized expertise available. Recently, the team conducted intensive training sessions at four Ascension St. Vincent’s emergency departments.

Nurse Richard says there is nothing more rewarding than watching the SEAL team travel to different facilities, bringing specialized pediatric simulations and training directly to healthcare providers. “Every day, we are working to enhance patient outcomes, boost staff knowledge, and equip our communities with the education needed to help save children's lives. I could not be more honored to be part of this incredible mission,” he explained. “The dedication I see from our team and the appreciation from the facilities we visit reinforce why this work matters so much.”

This simulation-based training exceeds traditional educational methods by creating realistic, high-stakes scenarios based on the skill level of each healthcare professional. The training creates a safe environment to practice critical interventions, manage complex medical emergencies and build confidence under pressure. Whether in rural community hospitals or medical centers in the city, the SEAL team is committed to breaking down geographical barriers and delivering exceptional pediatric emergency training to every corner of the Pensacola region.

Each healthcare professional training becomes a potential lifeline for a child in critical need. Looking toward the future, the SEAL team is committed to a mission of ongoing improvement, compassionate care and excellence in pediatric emergency medical education.

The SEAL team plans to acquire two more high-fidelity mannequins that will allow the team to train more healthcare professionals per session. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated simulation center within the hospital, becoming a hub for ongoing innovation and excellence in pediatric care for you and your child’s care