On the very first day of his Emergency Medicine rotation, Jacob Nelson, VCOM-Carolinas Class of 2026, found himself in the middle of a high-stakes emergency. A patient in cardiac arrest was rushed in, and Jacob was directed to stand at the head of the bed—out of the way, but close to the action. Within minutes, he was handed the glidescope and told to intubate.
I was on my first day of EM and within the first hour of the shift, there was a cardiac arrest that rolled in. Residents told me to stand at the head of bed and stay out of the way. It was only a couple minutes later the respiratory therapist handed me the glidescope to intubate, thinking I was a resident. The attending said go for it, and I successfully intubated on first try. I couldn't help but think of all those hours practicing in the sim center—it gave me the confidence and skills to intubate when it mattered most.
VCOM’s Simulation Center gives students the opportunity to gain real-world skills in a safe, controlled environment. Students like Jacob practice vital procedures—from suturing and IV placement to intubation and emergency response—under the guidance of experienced faculty and simulation professionals. These hands-on opportunities prepare VCOM students to step up when lives are on the line.