The University of Illinois Springfield and the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing Springfield Campus unveiled two new anatomage tables on April 15. The high-tech tables, donated by Memorial Health, let students fully visualize and learn about human anatomy layer by layer.
The tool will be utilized by UIS students studying athletic training, biology and exercise science, as well as by UIC Nursing Springfield students. The technology enables users to visualize anatomy as they would on a cadaver.
“The anatomage tables give students hands-on experience doing virtual dissections and help them develop skills that are important in the workforce,” said UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch. “We greatly appreciate Memorial Health for its strong community support and commitment to educating the next generation of health practitioners.”
The donation of the tables builds on a nearly 10-year partnership that led to UIS, UIC Nursing and Memorial Health collaborating to launch a nursing program in Springfield in 2016. A major component of the partnership has been scholarship support. Since 2014, Memorial Health has provided nearly $2.2 million to UIS pre-nursing students.
“Partnerships like this one benefit not only Memorial Health, UIS and UIC Nursing, but the entire central Illinois region,” said Ed Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health. “The steps we are taking now will ensure Memorial and other health care organizations can continue caring for local residents in the decades to come. We’re pleased to have both UIS and UIC Nursing as partners in this important work to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
UIC junior nursing major Nicholas Doerfler began working at Springfield Memorial Hospital in high school as a patient safety monitor and his interest in nursing grew. This summer, he will have a new role as a nurse intern in the cardiac intensive care and oncology units.
“The Memorial Health scholarship has taken the stress of tuition away from me and so many other students,” Doerfler said. “It allows us to really focus on learning, experiencing and growing as much as we can while we’re here in this program.”
Nursing students who start their general education at UIS are guaranteed admission into the UIC Nursing program. Additionally, a pathway has been created to help students transition from their first year to full-time employment without leaving Springfield.
“The integration of anatomage tables into our curriculum continues to enrich student learning, supporting their preparation for nursing classes and throughout their nursing journey,” said Sara McPherson, director of UIC Nursing Springfield. “These partnerships highlight our commitment to cultivating a robust health care workforce dedicated to serving our communities.”
UIS School of Health Science Director Celest Weuve said Memorial Health’s support gives athletic training and exercise science students the support and tools they need to help prepare them for the workforce.
“We are excited to incorporate this advanced technology into our classes, as we continue to provide a premier education while focusing on the personalized needs of our students and the health care needs of our central Illinois community,” Weuve said.