A new simulation lab has opened at Hershey Medical Center that more than doubles the existing facilities at a staggering 8,000 sq. feet. Reportedly costing around $6.6 million and taking over 20 years to develop, the new lab is the cutting edge in healthcare education.

The lab features mannequins that healthcare professionals can use to hone their skills in performing a variety of procedures, a practice that pays off in real situations, according to lab director Elizabeth Sinz.

The lab also features a really awesome virtual reality lab:

In the virtual reality room, a face belonging to a virtual person who was having trouble swallowing was hooked to a computer while surgery resident Eric Pauli demonstrated an endoscopy, snaking an endoscope down the patient’s throat while watching her esophagus on the computer screen and taking a biopsy of a fungal infection. The patient gave a groan of discomfort and coughed when the endoscope bothered her.

Staff held an open house on January 20, 2010 to familiarize people with the capabilities and technology of the lab. You can check out a video about the lab here.