Care teams across Sutter Health will soon have easier access to hands-on clinical training thanks to a new mobile simulation lab — a 44-foot lab on wheels that will travel to hospitals and clinics across the not-for-profit, integrated health system. Believed to be the first of its kind in California, the mobile lab expands access to immersive training for care teams in rural, suburban and urban communities.
A training exercise in Sutter Health’s mobile simulation lab uses a child mannequin mimicking respiratory distress.
The mobile lab includes two simulation rooms, two control rooms and a dedicated debrief space. It is equipped with lifelike training mannequins ranging from newborn to adult, including birthing and geriatric models. Together, these resources allow nurses, physicians, residents, fellows and other clinical team members to practice complex scenarios, such as a newborn in respiratory distress or a complicated birth, in a safe, realistic environment without risk to patients.
The mobile simulation lab extends the immersive training already provided at Sutter’s existing brick and mortar simulation centers in Sacramento, Roseville and Modesto, reducing travel and standardizing training practices. By bringing training directly to care sites, the lab expands access to learning opportunities and supports Sutter’s focus on advanced care capabilities, workforce development, innovation and delivering exceptional care close to home.
“High-quality clinical training is essential to delivering safe, effective care. It reflects how we support and empower our people every day,” said Kat Ascencio-Holmes, chief nurse officer at Sutter Health. “By bringing simulation experiences directly to our hospitals and clinics, we’re expanding access to hands-on learning for nurses, physicians and other caregivers. This work strengthens communication and teamwork, while reinforcing Sutter Health as a best place to work and practice—where our people have the tools, training and support to provide exceptional care.”
Simulation-based learning at Sutter emphasizes critical thinking and evidence-based practice. Working through interdisciplinary scenarios on the mobile simulation lab, nurses, physicians and other caregivers strengthen communication and teamwork skills and may respond more effectively in high-stakes situations.
The mobile simulation lab also supports a unified, systemwide approach to training. By standardizing simulation experiences and sharing best practices across locations, the program supports and reinforces Sutter’s commitment to consistent, high-quality care.
“The mobile simulation lab is a powerful extension of how we deliver learning across Sutter Health,” said Kaitlynn Thurman, senior director of clinical development and simulation at Sutter Health. “Through Sutter Health University and the mobile lab, we are creating more accessible, flexible opportunities for our care teams to continuously grow and advance clinical excellence by building critical skills in real-world scenarios.”
Clinical leaders at Sutter care sites can reserve the mobile simulation lab for a wide range of training opportunities, including emergency response, procedural skills and team-based care scenarios. The hands-on environment encourages participants to ask questions, practice new techniques and learn from mistakes in a setting that supports learning and growth.
The initiative reflects Sutter’s broader investment in education, innovation and research, including collaborations with leading academic institutions and a strong portfolio of residency and fellowship programs across multiple specialties. It also supports a training pathway that will include the first new M.D.-granting medical school in the San Francisco Bay Area in more than a century.
A childbirth training exercise in Sutter’s new Mobile Simulation Lab.
The mobile simulation lab was made possible by philanthropic support from many generous donors across the entire Sutter system, including employees and physicians, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing clinical education that can strengthen patient care.
“The mobile sim lab is a perfect example of how a global vision can have a profound impact on local communities,” said Raya Elias-Petros, chief philanthropy officer at Sutter Health. “Sutter donors have always played a vital role in accelerating innovation. We are grateful for their generosity, which is making this critical learning tool available to care teams who would not otherwise have convenient access to the latest training technology.”
By expanding access to simulation-based training, Sutter reinforces its position as a leading learning health system that advances clinical excellence, supports its workforce and strengthens the future of care delivery.
