Full Sail University and AdventHealth University’s strides in virtual medical training were recognized at the first United Government and Aerospace Customer Recognition and Awards Gala on November 28. The universities received two "Made With Unity" recognition awards for creating proofs of concept for the Nurse IV Trainer and the DaVinci Xi Surgical Robot Trainer projects using the 3D project-creating platform Unity.

Both proofs of concept were created with help from the Game Design master’s and Simulation & Visualization bachelor’s degree programs, along with guidance from Simulation & Visualization Environments Course Director Dan Mapes and Game Design master's Program Director Rob Catto.

The Nurse IV Trainer is a virtual reality medical simulation technology that allows medical practitioners and students to practice inserting an IV into a patient’s arm. It’s a more affordable and convenient alternative that lets students practice the task as many times as needed without a real arm or the additional cost of training equipment.

Current Simulation & Visualization students Eric Goya, Casey Peabbles Pleshe, and Evan McFadden, and recent Simulation & Visualization grads Gabriel Luyanda and Karenna McCall all took part in producing the Nurse IV Trainer. The DaVinci Xi Surgical Robot Trainer allows students and medical professionals to virtually practice using the DaVinci Surgical system ­– a minimally invasive surgical tool that performs a wide range of surgical procedures. Much like the Nurse IV Trainer, the DaVinci Xi Surgical Robot Trainer is a cost-effective virtual alternative. Both training applications can be affordably scaled and provide medical training throughout healthcare networks.

Game Design master's student George Masganas and Simulation & Visualization students Thomas Georgiev, Andrew Townsend, and Shubhankar Katekari were all involved in creating the DaVinci Xi Surgical Robot Trainer.

AdventHealth University provided expertise to the students as they developed the projects and proofs of concept.

Additionally, Associate Course Director John Fairchild received awards for two projects, which he worked on with three other Full Sail graduates and faculty members. Full Sail partnered with government services and support company Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for the projects’ development.