‘Sim-terns’ turn experience into action

For recent UAB graduates Taigan White and Amber Rogers, their time with UAB Clinical Simulation wasn’t just a job—it was a launchpad.

Both biomedical sciences majors, White and Rogers recently wrapped up their internships with UAB Clinical Simulation as they prepare to apply to medical school. Their time on the team, they said, offered more than hands-on experience with manikins and medical kits—it gave them insight into teamwork, problem-solving and the value of practicing before performing.

“When I first heard about the job, I had no idea what clinical simulation even was,” White admitted. “But it gave me a way to get hospital experience that was different from being a patient care tech. I was really intrigued by that.”

White introduced Rogers to the program, and soon the two became an inseparable team—building kits, organizing supply rooms and diving into the behind-the-scenes work of health-care simulation.

“It’s not the same thing every day,” Rogers said. “There’s a daily task list, sure, but we’d also get random assignments, which made it exciting.”

One of their proudest accomplishments? Overhauling the inventory of two major supply rooms—a project that took days of planning, measuring and reorganizing.

“It felt like a tactical operation,” Rogers joked. “When we finished, the entire space was transformed. It was so satisfying.”

But beyond the logistics, both say the biggest takeaway was seeing how simulation prepares learners for high-stakes situations in a safe environment.

“It really opened my eyes to how important simulation is,” White said. “It’s hands-on learning where learners can make mistakes and talk through them—so they hopefully won’t make those same mistakes in real life.”

White’s experience also extended beyond campus. She participated in UAB Mobile Simulation trips to rural hospitals—an experience she plans to highlight on her medical school application.

“Those experiences helped me understand the challenges rural health-care workers face, and I want to be part of initiatives like telehealth that help bridge those gaps,” she said.

While neither plans to specialize exclusively in rural health care, both hope to volunteer their time in underserved areas—and both feel their simulation experience gives them a unique perspective.

“Honestly, when a manikin breaks down in med school, we’ll know what to do,” Rogers said.

Though their time at UAB Clinical Simulation has ended, they’re quick to note the lasting impact it had on them.

“The only reason we’re moving on is because we just graduated,” White said. “We’ve done the learning portion—now it’s time to apply it.”

Think you’d like to be part of the team? UAB Clinical Simulation’s internship program offers students a unique chance to build skills, support medical education and work alongside a dedicated team. To learn more, email simulation@uabmc.edu.

UAB Medicine’s Clinical Simulation program offers opportunities for individuals and teams across UAB Medicine and beyond to practice before they deliver care. We encourage all who provide and support patient care to “Sim First.” Together, we can put our patients’ safety first.