Mary Odille Broussard, former director of nursing at University Medical Center in Lafayette and a University of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette graduate, is honoring her coworkers and helping future nurses with a gift to the University.
"I wanted to honor these nurses who have been like family to me. UMC is a special place where the nurses are devoted to caring for a vulnerable patient population. It was a place that gave me a wonderful professional experience," said Broussard.
She is providing financial support for UL Lafayette's Simulation Debriefing Lab with a three-year sponsorship. Sponsors receive naming rights in exchange for their gifts: Broussard has chosen to dedicate the lab to the past and present nursing staff at UMC. The medical center, which is associated with LSU Health, provides care for all patients, including those who are uninsured, and training opportunities for future health professionals.
Broussard retired from UMC in June of 2012, after working there for more than 36 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University in 1976 and holds a master's degree in community psychosocial nursing from Southeastern ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ University.
Dr. Gail Poirrier, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, said that Broussard's gift is important. UL Lafayette has five simulation labs, which ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ computerized mannequins. The state-of-the-art labs provide valuable learning tools. But they are also expensive to maintain.
In the Simulation Debriefing Lab, students encounter a "patient" with a particular set of symptoms and conditions. The mannequins can be programmed to reflect any real-life scenario.
"For example, we might set up a scenario in which the patient has a bleeding ulcer. We could make the scenario even more challenging by making the patient diabetic and pregnant. Students go in with a set of doctor's orders and are expected to assess and treat the patient."
The "patients" respond much like real humans would, both clinically, in terms of their vital signs, and socially: a "patient" might lift his head from the pillow and say, "Ouch!"
The interaction between student and "patient" is recorded. Immediately after the exchange is complete, debriefing begins. "Students learn how well they did in caring for the patient. Did they take the correct steps? Say the right things? Did they respond quickly enough?
"If they made mistakes, they can learn from them, without endangering a real patient. One of the most important aspects of simulation is that it enables students to apply and improve their critical thinking skills," Poirrier said.
In addition to the Simulation Debriefing Lab, the College has simulation labs for adult critical care, maternal/child critical care, a geriatric lab and a lab where students learn intravenous techniques. It also maintains a computer lab.
Broussard recently toured the Simulation Debriefing Lab and said she hopes her support will help students improve their skills.
"I wish I'd had access to this kind of technology when I was a student. I think the experiences they have here will help give them insight and confidence and help them be better prepared to care for patients."
Photo: Mary Odille Broussard, a University of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette alum and former director of nursing at University Medical Center, is sponsoring a University nursing lab in honor of her professional colleagues. Seated, from left, are: Laurence Vincent, UMC director of nursing; Megan Berard, UMC telemetry supervisor; GraciAna Breaux, supervisor, UMC Nursing Education Department; and Mary Menard, UMC RN manager. Standing, from left, are: Janet Leger, UMC nursing informatics manager; Dr. Gail Poirrier, dean of UL Lafayette's College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions; Broussard; Jackie Hebert, UMC clinical nurse specialist and part-time UL Lafayette faculty member; Rachel Smith, UMC associate director of nursing; and Cameron Foreman UMC nursing education instructor.