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University of Nebraska
Digital Pulse
iEXCEL's Newsletter 
Volume 2 Issue 6
August 16, 2016
Global leadership in transforming human performance & effectiveness in health care
Welcome to Digital Pulse!
Dear Colleagues & Friends of iEXCEL,

iEXCEL is growing!  We hope you enjoy catching up on the latest progress made in the journey from Vision to Reality.

This month finds the iEXCEL Visualization Hub (MSC 1012) expanding with the delivery and installation of a 3D CADWall and 3D content development stations. In addition, the iEXCEL staff and the Global Center Design Groups have been working closely with Ron Schaefer and Craig Ellis from UNMC Facilities and the Global Center architects on the final exterior design and interior layout. The final design for the Global Center and cost projections will be presented to the Board of Regents by Ron Schaefer on August 19, 2016. 

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Events & Outreach
 SIM-NE 
Mobile Simulation
The successful launch of SIM-NE   at the end of July was made possible by a generous leadership grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust; iEXCEL participated as a supporting partner in the SIM-NE launch event on July 26, 2016.

SIM-NE is a statewide, mobile education system consisting of four simulation trucks which will bring state-of-the-art, hands-on training, using high fidelity human patient simulators to pre-hospital and hospital professionals throughout the state of Nebraska.

“We really hope this will make a difference for the health of the people in the state. We are very grateful to the Helmsley Foundation for helping make this possible,” said Paul Paulman, M.D., Assistant Dean for Clinical Skills.   

Read More

Progress: The Global Center
Draft Rendering July 2016

Fundraising: A proposal requesting the City of Omaha's support of iEXCEL was submitted in June to the Omaha Planning Board. The emphasis was on the impact of the Global Center on economic and workforce development opportunities for Omaha. This successful application resulted in media coverage, including an article in the Omaha World Herald (see article here) as well as an editorial calling iEXCEL and the Global Center a "smart niche" (see editorial here). According to Mayor Jean Stothert, iEXCEL "will not only be good for the med center, but good for the city too." At the end of August, the iEXCEL team is set to seek final approval from the City Council.

iEXCEL Program Updates
Thanks to collegial discussions with the College of Medicine leadership, the iEXCEL and Sorrell Simulation Lab staff will be working closer together to foster and support the adoption of simulation, and accommodate the expansion of simulation requests and tours that are being received. Positions related to supporting the growth of iEXCEL and the Sorrell Simulation Lab have recently been posted online. These include technology and content creation support for the transition to incorporating visualization.

We are now entering the selection process. If you are aware of potential candidates you would consider to be well suited to one of these positions, please encourage them to explore these opportunities by visiting the UNMC's Employment Opportunities page.
Technology Advancements & News
Visualization Hub - Technology Update
New 3D and VIR technology has arrived! This cutting-edge equipment and software
enhances and builds upon the existing iWall and head-mounted display
technologies.
iMirror in use

The iWall is already being used creatively to teach and learn differently by  both UNMC faculty and students as well as by Nebraska Medicine. The availability of this advanced technology will help ramp up knowledge (both technical and  use-case) in preparation for the opening of the Global Center. Faculty and  staff are able to learn using the technology first on a smaller scale and then expand as they become more familiar with and creative about its application. 

The following technologies have been installed:

Training sessions will be scheduled within the next few months and coordinated with the hiring of the new staff. In order to accommodate the newest technology and make it available for multiple sessions, a redesign of the iEXCEL Visualization Hub is in process. Please feel free to take a peek from time to time to see how things are progressing!

Holographic Technology
With the guidance of an expert industry holographic consultant, we have been investigating the potential for incorporating holographic technology in the Global Center and also at statewide networked facilities.

Dr. Boyers, Suzanne Torroni and Ben Stobbe recently visited the College of Nursing simulation centers at Western Nebraska and Northeast Community Colleges in Scottsbluff and Norfolk to continue discussions for collaboration across Nebraska.

“We are grateful for colleagues at those sites, including Sue Wilhelm,  Assistant Dean, West Nebraska Division; and Liane Connelly, Assistant Dean, Northern Division, for such a warm reception and for such positive discussions,” said Dr. Boyers.
 
In Closing...

As always, thank you for your continued interest, support and engagement with iEXCEL. 

Sincere Regards – Pam Boyers, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor, iEXCEL

 
Please keep in mind that we would appreciate your input! For example, if there is an area of focus that you believe should be included in our newsletter, please do not hesitate to share your thoughts or recommendations by  emailing  iEXCEL@unmc.edu
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