“The LaSR Training Center is the first of its kind in Northwest Ohio,” said Ronney Abaza, M.D., medical director of the LaSR Training Center. “This facility will make simulation training more accessible to healthcare providers in our area, enhancing the level of patient care we are able to offer.”

Simple laparoscopic trainer boxes will be used by surgical residents, surgeons and medical students to develop the psychomotor skills and manual dexterity needed for precise laparoscopic procedures. Training will also be offered for some of the latest technological advances in healthcare, such as the da Vinci ® Surgical Robot – a multi-specialty, minimally-invasive surgical system acquired by St. Vincent in 2003 and the only surgical robot currently available for use in Northwest Ohio. With da Vinci, a surgeon is able to operate through very small incisions with the increased control, range of motion and 3-D visualization characteristic of open surgery.

Additionally, the LaSR Training Center will allow more extensive use of the Human Patient Simulator™, developed by Medical Education Technologies, Inc., which has been in use by the Emergency Medicine Department at St. Vincent for several years. The simulator, also known as METI-man, is a full-sized mannequin that blinks, speaks and breathes – complete with a heartbeat and pulse. METI-man features intricately programmed systems that are able to mimic human responses to such procedures as CPR, intravenous medication, intubation, ventilation and catheterization providing medical professionals with a very true-to-life educational experience.

“The greatest beneficiary of this facility is ultimately the patient,” said Dr. Abaza. “Healthcare providers will have the opportunity to test and refine their skills through simulation exercises, upholding our commitment to providing superior care to the residents of our community.”

The Laparoscopy, Simulation & Robotics Training Center at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center is part of Mercy Health Partners, a not for profit health system in Northwest Ohio dedicated to improving the health of people in its communities with emphasis on its 150-year mission of caring for all in need. Mercy is composed of St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, St. Charles Mercy Hospital, St. Anne Mercy Hospital, Mercy Children’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Tiffin, Mercy Hospital of Willard, Mercy Hospital of Defiance, St. Vincent & University Medical Center Life Flight and Mercy College of Northwest Ohio. Please visit www.mercyweb.org for additional information regarding Mercy Health Partners.