As home to a thriving healthcare and biotechnology sector and sitting at a nexus between urban and rural America, St. Louis was a perfect choice for Ponce Health Sciences University’s first campus in the continental United States. The Science Center’s Einstein Society enjoyed a special opportunity to learn how the region’s newest educator of future physicians, nurses, and clinical psychologists is rethinking and evolving the health science training landscape.
Part of the Science on the Move series that connects Einstein Society members with science and innovation emerging in St. Louis, the event included a guided tour of the Ponce education building. Guests heard more about PHSU’s history from Ponce administrators and educators, including Dr. Stefani Schuette, Campus Director; Dr. Ferrahs Abdelbaset, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs; and Dr. David Lenihan, CEO of Tiber Health and former president of Ponce Health Sciences University.
Then, attendees saw firsthand how Ponce is integrating the latest technology and a global perspective into a rigorous academic learning environment. With a behind-the-scenes tour of the immersive learning spaces led by Oliver Bacus, Standardized Patient and Simulation Lab Coordinator at PHSU, group members had the chance to step into the shoes of today’s medical students with hands-on activities using Ponce’s clinical simulation mannikins.
In addition, Einstein Society members witnessed a close-up demonstration led by Dr. Abdelbaset of the Anatomage Table, a high-tech virtual dissection and anatomy visualization system that allows users to interact with actual cadavers in digitized form and practice virtual dissections, explore structural layers of anatomy, and more.
“It was a great time for our Einstein Society members to experience Ponce Health Sciences University as it is in the process of transforming its curriculum in response to the needs of modern healthcare,” says Noël Schiber, a major gifts officer for the Science Center. “We thank Ponce for being gracious hosts to wonderful people who cherish St. Louis as a science city.”
The experience perfectly reflected the goal of the Science on the Move series—giving the Science Center’s most committed donors the wonder of discovery while inspiring an even deeper appreciation for the extraordinary scientific innovation happening throughout St. Louis.
