Fishers Junior High Students Become 'Student Physicians' in Simulated Hospital Program

Seventh-graders take on roles like checking in patients, ordering tests, and performing surgery in annual hands-on learning exercise.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:52pm

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Once a year, the Fishers Junior High School library transforms into a simulated hospital, where seventh-grade students take on various medical roles and responsibilities. The students check in patients, order tests, run a lab, research diseases, make diagnoses, perform simulated surgeries, and submit billing codes - all as part of a hands-on learning program designed to give them practical experience in the healthcare field.

Why it matters

The hospital simulation program provides Fishers Junior High students with a unique opportunity to apply their classroom learning about science, medicine, and the healthcare system in a real-world, interactive setting. By taking on different roles within the simulated hospital, the students gain valuable insights and experience that could inspire some to pursue careers in the medical field.

The details

During the annual hospital simulation, the seventh-grade students rotate through various stations, starting by interviewing 'patients' who describe their symptoms via video chat. The students then order lab tests, research potential diagnoses, and perform simulated surgeries using laparoscopic tools and software. After making their diagnoses, the students submit the proper billing codes, which teacher Deborah Kletch says helps them 'prove' they got the right diagnosis. Kletch adds new elements to the program each year, and this year included a new surgery center funded by a grant from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation.

  • The Fishers Junior High School hospital simulation program takes place annually.
  • This year's program was held in April 2026.

The players

Deborah Kletch

A seventh-grade science teacher at Fishers Junior High School who organizes the annual hospital simulation program.

Niko Muraoka

A Fishers Junior High School seventh-grade student who participated in the surgery center component of the hospital simulation.

Justin Hirnisey

The executive director of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation, which provided grant funding for the new surgery center addition to the hospital simulation program.

Matt Kegley

The interim superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools, who observed the hospital simulation program and praised its connection to the curriculum.

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What they’re saying

“This was something I found in an old workbook — it just had little stories and little pretend codes. And my husband is a science person, so we figured out the lab tests we could run, and I just sort of jumped (on it).”

— Deborah Kletch, Seventh-grade science teacher

“You have to reach into these holes with this piece of equipment, and you have to grab four beads inside of this stretchy tissue. You need to learn to be precise and accurate with where you're putting the tools, and see where you're looking and being careful, because if you accidentally pop it out, it would just go all over the place.”

— Niko Muraoka, Seventh-grade student

“As you can see … the deep learning that's happening, the conversations that are happening, Mrs. Clutch's passion for this project — when we get one of those applications, and you can kind of feel it on paper, we love to invest in ideas like that, that are innovative.”

— Justin Hirnisey, Executive Director, Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation

“They're in the middle of viruses and diseases and so, there's a natural progression with the work they're doing in the classroom. It's not just, 'Hey, I've got this one-off idea that may not really apply to what we're doing.' No — it meshes perfectly with what's going on in their learning leading up to now, and what they'll take with them after this.”

— Matt Kegley, Interim Superintendent, Hamilton Southeastern Schools

What’s next

The Fishers Junior High School hospital simulation program is an annual event, so the next iteration is scheduled to take place in April 2027.

The takeaway

The Fishers Junior High School hospital simulation program provides seventh-grade students with a unique, hands-on learning experience that allows them to apply their classroom knowledge of science and medicine in a real-world, interactive setting. By taking on various medical roles and responsibilities, the students gain valuable insights and skills that could inspire some to pursue careers in the healthcare field.