Las Madrinas Simulation Center

Pediatric medical emergencies often demand split-second decision-making and sophisticated care techniques. However, the rarity of these incidents makes gaining the hands-on experience necessary to successfully treat them challenging. Even in less emergent scenarios, ensuring the best possible outcomes requires teamwork that only comes with specialized training and practice.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is bridging this gap with a full suite of medical simulation facilities and learning experiences. The Las Madrinas Simulation Center is among a small number of simulation programs nationwide focusing on pediatrics. We are helping more clinicians confidently deliver high-quality care to newborns, babies and children. Our vision is to be the premiere pediatric simulation center in Southern California.

What Is Medical Simulation?

Simulations create lifelike environments in which we help train individual clinicians and provider teams on best practices, specific types of medical equipment and more. Our facilities and equipment provide practical training grounds for sharpening clinical skills and enabling teamwork without impacting patient safety.

Our simulation services also offer a broad range of courses focused on direct clinical intervention and building team communication skills, enabling providers to become proficient in complex bedside or surgical procedures. These courses help multidisciplinary teams gain experience in delivering collaborative, efficient care.

Why Choose the Las Madrinas Simulation Center?

Simulations and the lessons learned from them are an extension of CHLA’s mission to provide leadership in pediatric academic medicine. Our state-of-the-art simulation facility helps clinical teams enhance health and save lives.

We use research-based methods and advanced technologies, like high-fidelity mannequins and virtual reality, to help learners gain experience and insightful feedback. Our commitment to medical simulation excellence has earned our program recognition from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare™. We maintain accreditation in Core Standards of Simulation as well as in Teaching/Education, Research and Fellowship.

Who Our Medical Simulation Courses Are For

Our simulation courses help teams consistently deliver coordinated, high-quality services for complex pediatric care events. We are also honored to serve as a resource for training and professional certifications to providers throughout the region.

Our services are available to:

• Physicians, residents and fellows, and medical students
• Advanced practice providers
• Nurses and nursing students
• Respiratory care providers and students
• Simulation and digital medicine researchers
• Social workers and chaplains
• Therapists and technicians
• Child Life specialists
• Care partners and medical assistants
• Volunteers

Medical Simulation Offerings

Learning experiences go beyond common and complex care scenarios. We also help participants deliver services reflecting compassionate and culturally sensitive methods.

Our services include:

• Standard courses: We provide opportunities for clinicians at all levels to practice a broad range of procedures and clinical skills. There are also options for teams to participate in mock code simulations, specialized emergencies and research.
• Custom simulation experiences: We can tailor learning experiences to your organization’s precise needs, and customize the simulation experience at the Las Madrinas Simulation Center or your facility.
• Professional certification: CHLA is an American Heart Association-authorized life support training center, with certifications available in advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS) and more.
• Medical education: We offer simulation fellowships and other medical education opportunities for aspiring clinical leaders. Experiences can be adapted to your specific career goals.

Contact Us

To learn more about our offerings or book a course, please call us at 323-361-4159 or email SimTeam@chla.usc.edu.