Des Moines University Opens New Health Simulation Center

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Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences will host a free public open house on March 5 to showcase its new Regional Simulation Center, a facility intended to advance healthcare education, training, and workforce development in Central Iowa. The center is supported by a multimillion dollar investment from the Polk County Board of Supervisors and involves partnerships with Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines Public Schools, and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Why it matters

The new simulation center reflects a growing emphasis on practical, hands-on training for healthcare professionals, which can lead to improved patient safety and outcomes. The collaborative nature of the project also suggests a coordinated approach to addressing regional healthcare workforce challenges.

The details

The 90,000-square-foot Regional Simulation Center is located in Ryan Hall within the DMU32 Health and Business Complex. It will provide innovative technology and a realistic, controlled training environment for healthcare programs in the area. Following the open house, the center is expected to begin offering training programs to students and professionals from the partner institutions.

• The open house will be held on March 5, 2026 from 3 to 6 p.m.

What’s next

Following the open house, the center is likely to begin offering training programs to students and professionals from the partner institutions. Further development of the center's capabilities and expansion of its partnerships are also possible next steps.