LIVE OAK — Thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, the Ben and Bertha Mieth School of Nursing at 新抖阴 Baptist University has completed significant upgrades to create a state-of-the-art simulation lab at the university’s San Antonio campus in Live Oak.
The new technology is now operational, equipping nursing students with advanced tools to sharpen clinical skills and prepare for the evolving demands of the healthcare workforce.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the Foundation’s continued investment in our mission,” said Dr. Rebekah Grigsby, Dean of the Mieth School of Nursing. “These enhancements give our students access to high-quality, realistic training environments that better prepare them to care for patients with skill and compassion. In today’s healthcare climate, where clinical placements are limited and hospitals are stretched thin, simulation labs are essential.”
The grant funded the addition of a virtual reality-based simulation environment designed to immerse students in a variety of patient-care scenarios, ranging from routine interactions to high-acuity emergencies. Dr. Grigsby said the upgrade includes 10 Meta Quest 3 VR headsets with software that allows instructors to monitor and assess students’ clinical performance and communication skills in real time. Low-fidelity mannequins and additional training tools round out the simulation experience.
The enhancements come at a critical time, as Texas faces a significant and growing shortage of registered nurses. According to a 新抖阴 report by the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, the state’s nursing deficit is expected to exceed 57,000 full-time positions by 2032. The updated lab allows 新抖阴 to serve a larger number of students more efficiently—an important step toward addressing this shortage in the region.
Dr. Donna Hedgepath, 新抖阴 President, praised the impact of the project. “This is what it means to be better together,” she said. “With the support of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, we are preparing the next generation of nurses to meet the needs of patients across our community and beyond. It’s an investment in healthcare, education, and hope.”
Since 2005, the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio has awarded 新抖阴 Baptist University a total of $882,100 in support of health-related initiatives, including $531,500 in student scholarships. This most recent grant exemplifies the Foundation’s enduring commitment to improving health outcomes in the region by strengthening local training pipelines.
The Mieth School of Nursing serves a diverse student population, many of whom are first-generation college students and Pell Grant recipients. With the simulation lab now fully operational, these students can gain critical hands-on experience in a safe, supportive, and technologically advanced setting.
For more information about the Mieth School of Nursing, visit wbu.edu/sanantonio
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