Goodwin University Opens State's Largest Collegiate Nursing Simulation Center

by Goodwin University

EAST HARTFORD, CT (11/07/2025) — Goodwin University has officially opened its 7,000-square-foot collegiate nursing simulation lab - the largest in Connecticut - marking a major step forward in addressing the region's nursing shortage and expanding access to hands-on, career-focused education.

Occupying an entire floor of Goodwin's main academic building on Riverside Drive, the Nursing Simulation Center was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 29, 2025. The event brought together state and local leaders, including Congressman John Larson, healthcare educators, and University benefactors, to celebrate this transformative addition to Goodwin's Nursing programs. A citation recognizing Goodwin's long-standing commitment to healthcare career development in the state was sent by Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Past and present leadership of Goodwin's Nursing programs was represented by former program director Janice Watts and the current dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, Dr. Vivienne Friday. In her remarks, Dr. Friday highlighted that the Center includes experiential learning labs framed around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Four Spheres of Care: Disease Prevention/Promotion of Health and Well-being, Chronic Disease Care, Regenerative/Restorative Care, and Hospice/Palliative/Supportive Care.

With approximately half of all Goodwin students enrolled in a Nursing program, the new Center strengthens the University's ability to prepare students for these in-demand roles, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled, compassionate caregivers ready to serve their communities.

"Goodwin University trains about 30% of all the nurses in our area," noted President Mark E. Scheinberg. "The Nursing Simulation Center represents both progress and promise. It's a place where students learn to care, to lead, and to serve - one patient, one community, and one career at a time."

Scheinberg also noted that the majority of Goodwin's 4,000-plus Nursing program graduates remain in Connecticut to work after graduating.

Built in collaboration with Capital Studio Architects, LLC, (https://capitalstudio.net), the Center was made possible through sources including CT Office of Workforce Strategy/CT Health Horizons, Congressionally Directed Spending/US Department of Education, CT State Department of Education/Carl D. Perkins, the Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, and the Judith Ann Libby Charitable Fund.

Individual philanthropic donors also played critical leadership roles in making the Center a reality, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing healthcare education and workforce development in Connecticut. Present at the ceremony were Ted Kaplan and Roberta Woronow, who funded the Rehabilitation Care Lab, and Frank and Judith Resnick, who named the Health Promotion and Wellness Lab in honor of Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, nationally recognized nursing leader and gerontology expert.

Following the ceremony, guests toured the new facility and observed live demonstrations led by current Nursing students Kemba Francis and Ariana Oeung. The demonstrations showcased immersive simulation environments, ranging from tracheostomy care and medication administration to bedside communication and patient charting. Instructors guide students from a central control room, communicating through the "patient" manikin to simulate real-world urgency and unpredictability. Each high-fidelity manikin can breathe, blink, and even cry, providing a lifelike experience that bridges classroom learning and clinical practice.

"Some students can get nervous when they go on site," said Ms. Francis. "But if they get exposure in the SIM Center with manikins that can exhibit real-world behaviors, they'll feel much more comfortable once they graduate and begin practicing."

For Goodwin University, the Nursing Simulation Center represents far more than a new educational facility - it embodies the University's mission to align education, commerce, and community while preparing students for meaningful, purpose-driven careers in healthcare.

"Goodwin University continues to grow and expand," added Congressman Larson. "It becomes a mutual collaboration for the good of the USA."

For media inquiries, please contact:

Peter Decoteau

Director of Marketing and Communications

Goodwin University

Email: PDecoteau@goodwin.edu

Phone: 860-913-2150

Media Attachments

A.jpg

Mark Scheinberg, Goodwin President; Congressman John Larson; Ted Kaplan and Bobbie Woronow, donors (Kaplan and Woronow Family Rehabilitation Care Lab); Dr. Vivienne Friday, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions; Dr. Michael Pardales, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Barbara Resnick (honoree, Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP Health Promotion and Wellness Lab); Judith and Frank Resnick, donors.