USF Health (06/16/25) Siegal, Lauren

The USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) recently brought hands-on training to clinicians in two rural communities. Rural communities are often challenging for both patients, who may not be able to access timely, high-quality care, and the providers who serve them, who may encounter obstacles with continuing medical education and training. The USF Health team took its educational offerings to two underserved areas: Apalachicola, Fla., and Douglas, Ga. At each location, experts provided scenario-based education based on local needs, using realistic simulations. The training in Apalachicola, in partnership with the Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services, included instruction on improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. The training looked at both high-risk obstetric emergencies and normal deliveries, emphasizing the need for smooth coordination between all teams involved to lower the risk of complications and enhance safety. The training in Douglas, which was conducted with faculty from the Department of Emergency Medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, focused on simulation-based airway management training for emergency medical services providers, providing both basic and more advanced airway management techniques. The programs were both part of the CAMLS Without Walls initiative, and through donor support they were provided at no cost to the healthcare organizations involved. “We're proud to take this kind of high-impact training on the road,” said Haru Okuda, executive director of CAMLS and associate vice president of interprofessional education and practice for USF Health. “By meeting professionals where they are, we're helping them strengthen their skills and ultimately improve patient care in their own communities.”

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