Broward College: A Workflow for Science and Healthcare Education

Broward College provides diverse educational pathways, particularly in science and healthcare, designed to equip students with practical skills and industry-recognized certifications. The college emphasizes hands-on learning, advanced technology, and experienced faculty to ensure student success in various fields.

Adult and Community Education Programs

Broward College offers Adult and Community Education courses and programs on an ongoing basis throughout the semester. Enrollment is based on a first-come basis, and attendance must be confirmed on the first day of class. It is important to note that course schedules are subject to change without notice due to space and funding availability.

Enrollment and Eligibility

To enroll in a course, students must complete a pre-assessment if applicable, with a baseline score of 70% required for enrollment. Those scoring less than 70% may be offered alternative or prerequisite courses. Considerations are made for students already working in the field for which they seek certification. If a student has previously taken a course with an attached industry certification, they must complete the certification before enrolling in an additional course.

Student Support and Requirements

Throughout their educational journey, students receive support from Career Pathway Navigators (CPNs). Students are required to attend orientation with their assigned CPN, complete a pre-assessment, and maintain regular communication with their CPN. Orientation for in-person classes is held at the YMCA. The CPN provides details regarding specific orientation dates and times. Additionally, students may need to visit the YMCA for pre-assessments if required by their selected course.

Funding Opportunities

Broward College provides courses and workshops at no cost to eligible Broward County residents or those referred by community partners, thanks to grant funding. Other internal and external funding opportunities may be available for eligible students outside these areas. Currently, funding is available for no more than two industry certification courses per student.

Age and Educational Requirements

Applicants must be 18 or older for most Broward College courses. However, healthcare courses require applicants to have completed a high school diploma or GED.

Data Analytics Course

Broward College recognizes the increasing demand for professionals with analytics skills. The data analytics course provides an immersive learning experience with training on essential tools such as Excel, SQL, Tableau, and Python. This course is designed to provide students with portfolio-ready projects that demonstrate real-world abilities, translating directly to entry-level roles in data and business analytics. The course exercises and capstone projects offer practical experience, ensuring students are well-prepared for the workforce.

Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC)

The Broward College Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC), located in Davie, Florida, is a state-of-the-art educational facility that replicates a hospital setting. This 66,000-square-foot center, occupying the first and second floors, mirrors an acute care hospital, complete with an ambulance bay for emergency transport.

Objective and Features

The HSSC aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. It provides a controlled, immersive environment where students can enhance clinical decision-making, minimize errors, and foster effective communication and teamwork. The center features a large auditorium with a seating capacity of 109, providing space for lectures and presentations.

Advanced Technology

Broward College's Healthcare Simulation Center is committed to incorporating cutting-edge technology. The college has acquired Anatomage Tables, the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tools available. These tables allow students to learn accurate real anatomical human structures.

Additionally, the HSSC features advanced learning simulators such as Victoria® S220, an Obstetric MR (mixed reality) training mannequin. This technology integrates digital learning content into physical simulation exercises, linking knowledge and skill through hands-on training. The Laerdal-SonoSim Ultrasound Solution is integrated into the Laerdal patient simulator platform, including the SimMan family and SimMom, offering real ultrasound cases with pathological findings through full-scale simulations.

Specialized Simulators

The HSSC includes a Cardiovascular Suite with three Harvey Cardiopulmonary Simulators, which train students in bedside cardiovascular assessment skills. Other simulators include:

Victoria: The next-generation of mixed reality training mannequins for obstetrical training.
SimMan 3G Trauma: Designed for military needs, providing a mobile simulation solution adaptable to unique training environments.
SimMom: An obstetrical simulator designed to build skills competence in obstetrical clinical procedures and optimize team performance and communication during routine and complicated births. SimMom can be fitted with a non-gravid abdominal skin to expand the scope of simulation training.
Harvey: A proven simulation system for teaching bedside cardiac assessment skills.
SUPER Tori: The first newborn simulator developed to meet the challenges of neonatal care specialist training.
HAL®: A tetherless simulator with internal communications, compressor, and power supply, allowing continuous operation during transport and training in various environments.

Simulation Leadership and Accreditation

Broward College is an SSH Accredited Program in teaching/education. SSH Accreditation is a peer-reviewed evaluation of healthcare simulation programs. The college cultivates interdisciplinary groups with critical thinking, valuing a culture of patient safety and developing simulation leaders in various health science disciplines.

Faculty and Staff

Broward College boasts a dedicated team of professionals who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles.

Dr. Chavarria: A healthcare leader focused on strategy, operational excellence, and improving patient safety. She integrates education, operations, and strategy, building high-performing teams and supporting sustainable growth through data-driven insights and evidence-based practices. She serves as Vice Chair of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) Patient Safety Collaborative Affinity Group (2023-2025), Development Task Committee Member for SSH, and as a Peer Reviewer for the SSH Research Award Program.
Ms. Genader: Prior to becoming a simulation specialist, Ms. Genader served as a faculty member with the Radiography program for 25 years. She has worked as an Interventional and Cath Lab technologist, as well as an Orthopedics and Radiography technologist. She holds a certificate in Effective College Instruction through The Association of College and University Educators and The American Council on Education. At the Simulation Center, Ms. Genader enjoys applying moulage for various simulations, especially disaster scenarios.
Mrs. Hoyos: A registered nurse and Broward College nursing alumni. After graduating, she worked in the stepdown intensive care unit and the operating room. She holds certifications in NIH Stroke, Periop 101, and ONS Chemotherapy Immunotherapy.
Dr. Perez-Diaz: A trained physician with experience across multiple continents and specialties, reflecting his commitment to patient care. He earned his medical degree from the University of Jose Assed Yara, specializing in Family Medicine. He then shifted his focus to medical education and healthcare simulation in the United States.
Mr. Mitchell: A State of Florida Paramedic and a Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technician. He works as a Simulation Technology Specialist, focusing on paramedic-level skills and running a variety of simulation cases.
Dr. Milsulia Ulloa: A dedicated physician with 10 years of experience. She obtained her Medical degree from the Jose Asseff Yara in Cuba and specialized in Endocrinology at the University of Camaguey. She worked as part of a multidisciplinary team in the care and follow-up of endocrine disorders and pregnancy at the Diabetology Center.
Dr. Vaccarella: Inspired by her mother, a registered nurse, and her father, who worked in radiology, Dr. Vaccarella knew she wanted to become a nurse educator. She earned her B.S. from the University of South Florida and M.S. She joined Broward College in 2014, teaching core nursing courses, advising students, and fostering a passion for simulation-based learning.

Read also: Funding Your Education in Broward

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