WESTFIELD — On Tuesday, April 7, Westfield State University will hold two events to offer students an inside look at the realities of modern healthcare while highlighting the broad range of academic pathways available at WSU.
The first, a healthcare simulation program from 9 to 10:15 a.m., will welcome more than 140 high school students from across the region for a hands‑on healthcare exploration event featuring the university’s signature Interprofessional Longitudinal Healthcare Simulation. The second, from 4 to 6 p.m., will feature a Community Action Poverty Simulation, an interactive exercise for Westfield State students designed to emulate some of the challenges faced by those living in poverty.
In the Interprofessional Longitudinal Healthcare Simulation, high school students will follow the medical journey of a fictional 65‑year‑old patient whose unexpected health emergency sets off a multi‑stage trajectory through emergency care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and life back in the community. This immersive experience showcases how healthcare professionals from different disciplines work together to support a patient over time. This unfolding case study takes place on stage with current students depicting the various healthcare roles.
Following the simulation, students will engage directly with faculty and students from multiple healthcare‑related majors, including nursing, emergency medical services, social work, psychology, health sciences, movement science, athletic training, occupational therapy assistant, physician assistant studies, music therapy, biology (pre‑medical), theatre arts (simulation support), and many others. Each discipline will host hands‑on activities and demonstrations to help students explore the wide variety of careers available in today’s healthcare system.
Participants will conclude the day with a guided campus tour, offering them the chance to explore WSU’s academic spaces, simulation laboratories, and student support resources.
As the Commonwealth and the nation continue to face growing shortages in essential healthcare professions, Westfield State University recognizes its critical role in strengthening the workforce pipeline. The university has expanded its academic offerings, partnerships, and experiential learning programs to address both regional and national healthcare workforce gaps, ensuring students are career‑ready and prepared to serve communities in need.
“This event gives high school students the opportunity to truly see themselves in healthcare,” said Jessica Holden, associate dean of Healthcare Workforce Initiatives. “By showing how many pathways exist and how interconnected the professions are, we hope to inspire the next generation of practitioners who will help meet the workforce needs of Western Massachusetts and beyond.”
The Interprofessional Longitudinal Healthcare Simulation is part of WSU’s broader strategy to create accessible pathways into in‑demand fields, support early career exploration, and increase the number of qualified professionals entering the healthcare workforce.
Also on April 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Scanlon Hall, Westfield State University students from various departments will participate in a Community Action Poverty Simulation. This immersive exercise transforms the room into a mock community, challenging participants to navigate a simulated month of poverty, condensed into four 15-minute weeks.
To emulate the constant barriers faced by low-income individuals, each student is assigned a specific persona, such as a single parent or a senior citizen. Working within a family unit, they must manage limited funds to secure food and shelter while navigating real-world hurdles like job loss, transportation failures, and healthcare crises. By interacting with onsite resources representing banks, employers, and social services, students move beyond statistics to gain a profound sense of empathy.
Ultimately, this simulation bridges the gap between classroom theory and community reality. By confronting these systemic obstacles firsthand, the next generation of leaders is better prepared to advocate for compassionate, effective social solutions for their future clients and neighbors.
