College of the Canyons marked an important milestone with the ribbon cutting of a new Health Professions Simulation Center at the Canyon Country campus.
This state-of-the-art facility represents more than a new lab. It is a strategic investment in our region’s health care workforce and a reflection of our commitment to hands-on, career-focused education.
Located on the second floor of the Science Center, the Health Professions Simulation Center was built to serve students across multiple allied health programs, such as nursing, pharmacy technology, and diagnostic medical sonography. It is designed to support more than 500 students annually, providing a cost-effective way to ensure students earn industry-recognized certifications and graduate prepared to enter the health care workforce.
Equipped with advanced simulation technology, the center offers students immersive, scenario-based training that strengthens critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills — essential abilities in clinical environments where accuracy and speed can save lives.
This approach bridges the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application, helping students build confidence before stepping into clinical settings.
At the heart of the center are three high-fidelity 3G patient mannequins that closely replicate human physiology. One advanced simulator can blink, tear and sweat, allowing students to practice responding to complex medical situations such as cardiac arrest, trauma and difficult airways. Through hands-on interventions including IV insertion, defibrillation and medication administration, students can learn, make mistakes and improve in a safe, controlled environment.
The simulation center also includes specialized spaces designed to replicate modern hospital settings. These realistic environments immerse students in authentic clinical experiences, preparing them not only for certification exams, but also for the expectations of employers from day one.
SimCapture technology enables simulation technicians to manage scenarios behind the scenes while recording sessions for review and debriefing with students, reinforcing learning through reflection and feedback.
The creation of this facility was made possible by a $1 million state allocation secured by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo. Her advocacy for workforce development and higher education played a vital role in bringing this vision to life and highlights the importance of public investment in programs that lead directly to high-demand, well-paying careers.
As board president, I am proud of how this simulation center embodies College of the Canyons’ mission to serve students and the broader community. By investing in advanced training environments, we are helping students achieve their career goals while ensuring local hospitals, clinics and care facilities have access to a skilled, job-ready workforce.
The opening of the Health Professions Simulation Center marks an exciting new chapter for the Canyon Country campus, which is also home to the diagnostic medical sonography and pharmacy technician training programs that debuted earlier this academic year.
I look forward to seeing how this new space and the campus’ new programs transform learning, inspire future health care professionals and strengthen our region for years to come.
Sharlene Johnson serves as president of the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons.
