Funding for Simulation Training at Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center Will Prepare Caregivers – and Help Patients
A $1 million gift from Randi and Chuck Wien will support the building of dedicated simulation education space to be located within the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center at UH Cleveland Medical Center. The gift builds on the Wiens’ earlier support of simulation training for pediatric caregivers at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s.
An Ambitious Vision
The operating room is calm but focused as an anesthesiologist prepares a patient for surgery. As the sedation takes effect, a challenge arises. The patient’s airway begins to swell. Recognizing the warning signs, one caregiver adjusts the patient’s positioning while another prepares emergency airway equipment. They have been through this before – but not in real life. Thanks to simulation education, the team has experienced a similar scenario in a high-fidelity training environment, where they learned to refine their skills, manage stress and work together.
Because of Randi and Chuck Wien’s generosity, more caregivers at UH and beyond will receive such immersive training, updating their skills and knowledge and reducing errors and harm in practice. The Wien’s latest gift of $1 million funds a new simulation education space in the soon-to-be-built Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center, located on the campus of UH Cleveland Medical Center.
A $15 million gift from Iris S. and the late Bert L. Wolstein launched a campaign to fully fund the $30 million center. Despite having one of the nation’s largest residency programs, UH Cleveland Medical Center had lacked an education and conference facility. The new Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center enhances UH’s ability to train and convene healthcare professionals. The 30,000-square-foot facility will feature cutting-edge audiovisual and remote learning technology, with flexible space for global conferences, simulation and training labs, breakout rooms, a café, and a public art gallery.
“We are grateful to be part of Iris’ ambitious vision,” said Randi.
Benefitting All Humanity
The Wiens have seen the kind of continued education, professional development and career support that make for excellence in care. Their son, Michael Wien, MD, is a pediatric radiologist and program director of the Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s. Through his work, they discovered a growing need for simulation education among caregivers throughout the health system. Their first gift, given in 2020, helped meet that need for pediatric caregivers at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s. Seeing its impact on the health of mothers and children, the Wiens wanted to expand their reach.
“This new simulation space can help any type of caregiver,” said Randi. “It benefits all of humanity.”
Simulation education can adapt to nearly endless medical situations. This flexibility comes not just from increasingly life-like mannequins and 3D-prints of human anatomy, but the advanced technology underneath.
“The software driving these simulations constantly updates as healthcare needs and knowledge evolve,” said Chuck. “It can match the moment – for example, it can mimic new infectious diseases. And training scenarios can shift seamlessly. Caregivers can practice infant delivery in the morning and stroke care in the evening.”
“It’s so important for caregivers to learn in a safe environment,” added Randi. “They can make mistakes, learn and improve through hands-on experience without putting patients at risk. It’s like any great sports team. You need to practice to perfection before a big game.”
Added simulation space will greatly enhance UH’s ability to prepare medical teams for the most complex and rare care scenarios. The impact is nearly boundless, with the space equipped for real-time broadcast to larger groups in adjoining areas or tuning in virtually. But the Wiens are proud to support the community closest to home.
“We see UH playing such a vital role in Cleveland,” said Randi. “A strong, well-educated healthcare workforce makes for a healthier city. UH is a pillar of that effort. We’re proud to support it.”
Learn more about the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center at UH Cleveland Medical Center.