On July 30th the clinical simulation labs in Driscoll Hall were abuzz with boys and girls from the Purple Feet Foundation’s (PFF) 3rd Annual thinc Program, a week-long residential experience for inner-city sixth grade students. This year’s group was comprised of students from Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Prince George’s County in Maryland. PFF is a non-profit organization, co-founded by Villanova alumnus Lance Rougeux, focused on getting students to think about their future.
After spending an adventurous first day at Valley Forge Park, the group headed for Villanova’s campus on day two. They spent the morning enjoying tours of the Nursing labs courtesy of the Learning Resource Center staff. They learned how nursing students gain skills and knowledge in the specialty, use technology in patient care, practice their skills and take care of patients. The children were able to hear heart and breath sounds by using a stethoscope and listening to a programmed computerized human patient simulator, visualize cardiac function on the monitor screens and see how a high-tech medication dispenser enhances patient safety.
Later the children explored the athletic facilities and dormitories, had lunch in Connelly Center, and enjoyed a computer science class in Mendel Hall. This is the 3rd summer the College’s labs have hosted the PFF group.
