Chris Rizzo and Ryan Eling showcase UNE’s Clinical Simulation Program to Maine Athletic Trainers’ Association

Chris Rizzo, M.S., ATC, LAT, CSCS, associate clinical professor and clinical education coordinator in the Department of Athletic Training, and Ryan Eling, operations manager and clinical simulation specialist, presented the UNE Clinical Simulation Program to an audience of 80 students and professional athletic trainers on March 15, 2013, at the 10th annual Maine Athletic Trainers’ Association (MATA) Luncheon and Educational Session in Bangor.

Rizzo served as the keynote speaker and presented the on-ice simulation exercise, “Managing Traumatic Injury in Ice Hockey,” which was performed last semester with UNE’s state-of-the-art human simulator, the Laerdal SimMan 3G (nicknamed "Gene").  Gene's “accident” on the University’s ice rink resulted in the combined efforts of local physicians, Biddeford firefighters and EMS personnel, certified athletic trainers, and UNE athletic training students to attend to a cervical spine injury.  The simulation exercise was supported by a grant that Rizzo received through MATA.

Eling introduced the audience members to Gene in order to give them an up-close and personal look a a fully life-like mannequin, which can accurately mirror human responses such as breathing, bleeding, blinking, and speaking.  Gene also responds to medical procedures such as CPR, administration of IV medication, intubation, ventilization, and catheterization.