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Giving
Gift Funds Pediatric Simulation Manikins
At the University of San Francisco, the Simulation Center is transforming how nursing students prepare for patient care.
The center offers hands-on learning in a sophisticated clinical environment. The simulated experience is expanding thanks to a gift from Sheri Sobrato, which funded new pediatric high-definition manikins for the Immersive Learning Lab.
Here, students engage with advanced technology designed to mirror real-world medical scenarios, building confidence and clinical judgment before entering hospital settings with human patients.
“USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions is doing incredible work; these pediatric simulation manikins give nurses the chance to practice in a real world setting,” said Sheri Sobrato. “For me, this is a meaningful way to support both students and the future of healthcare while advancing Jesuit values-based education, which is so important to forming healthcare professionals who excel in their field with empathy, purpose and care.”
Investments in specialized lab equipment continue to strengthen the School of Nursing and Health Professions’ position as a leader in nursing education in California and nationwide. In the U.S. News & World Report 2026 undergraduate rankings, USF is among the top 3 percent for nursing programs.
Access to clinical experience with pediatric patients in acute care settings is limited, yet the need for skilled, confident nurses prepared to care for children remains critical. The new pediatric manikins help bridge that gap.
The center houses an entire “family” of manikins — adult, pediatric, and obstetric — allowing students to care for patients across different lifespans. Simulation scenarios include treating sepsis, stroke, hemorrhage, and cancer while working alongside other disciplines to strengthen communication and teamwork.
“These new manikins further our students’ clinical judgment and decision-making skills in realistic, high-stakes scenarios,” said Jonathan Mack, associate dean, Clinical Affairs and Learning Innovation, School of Nursing and Health Professions. “This preparation not only reduces the likelihood of errors early in their careers, but it also ensures they are ready to deliver safe, compassionate, and effective care from day one.”
With the new infant manikin, SimBaby, students can practice assessing vital signs, listening to heart and lung sounds, palpating pulses, and responding to medical emergencies — experiences that closely replicate real patient care.
Expansion is already underway. New SimJunior manikins will arrive soon at the USF Sacramento campus, bringing the same level of advanced training to students in the region.
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