On Your Mark, Get Set, Sim!

The race was on this past March at the annual Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix—but not just on the track.  

UAB Clinical Simulation joined UAB Medicine Workforce Development at Barber Motorsports Park March 27 to help steer the Hands-Only CPR Challenge, an interactive, hands-on activity station pitting participants against the clock to perform one minute of chest compressions. Their patients? Healthcare manikins equipped with real-time feedback technology. 

Participants were guided on proper technique, including depth and rate, and received a performance score upon conclusion of their session. Those who crossed the finish line with the highest accuracy scores were eligible for prizes.  

“The goal was twofold—to teach a life-saving skill and to spark interest in healthcare careers through an engaging, gamified experience,” explained Tiffany Bishop, director of UAB Medicine Workforce Development. 

The experience would also require a savvy pit crew. Representatives from various departments across UAB Medicine, including Workforce Development and Clinical Simulation, teamed up with clinical volunteers from various specialties to staff the station.  

“In total, we engaged a cross-functional group of teams to support both the educational experience and recruitment presence, reflecting our system-wide commitment to workforce development,” Bishop said.

The collaboration, she continued, was driven by a shared goal of building a stronger healthcare workforce pipeline, while engaging the community in a meaningful way. 

“The Indy Grand Prix provided a unique platform to reach a large, diverse audience and connect career awareness with hands-on engagement in a high-energy environment,” Bishop said.

The energy was palpable, with many participants expressing surprise at just how physically rigorous CPR can be.  

“Participant response was overwhelmingly positive,” Bishop said. “The real-time feedback and scoring element created excitement and friendly competition, especially among younger participants. They appreciated the opportunity to learn something practical in a fun, low-pressure environment.” 

Low-pressure, psychologically safe environments are a cornerstone of health-care simulation, and Clinical Simulation strives to foster such conditions in which care providers can practice procedures and high-risk clinical situations. 

“UAB Clinical Simulation brought the clinical expertise, equipment and educational design needed to deliver a high-quality, hands-on experience,” Bishop said. “Their team specializes in immersive learning and was instrumental in ensuring the activity was not only engaging, but also accurate and impactful. Partnering with simulation allowed us to elevate the experience beyond a typical outreach event and provide participants with a realistic introduction to clinical skills and healthcare environments.” 

And perhaps inspire a few future healthcare professionals to start their engines. 

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.