UAB Mobile Sim Digest

brought to you by UAB Clinical Simulation

Winter 2026

Wheel Talk

Meet Mobile Simulation's New Ride

After logging nearly 20,000 miles across Alabama, UAB Mobile Simulation is shifting gears—trading its iconic mobile RV lab for a streamlined vehicle designed to support the growing program.

The new Mobile Simulation Lab—a 2024 Ford Transit Passenger Van—is already redefining how the team delivers hands-on, immersive training to hospitals across the state.

Words on the Street

UAB Simulation Consortium Unifies Sim Programs

Did you know the the UAB Clinical Simulation Mobile Simulation Program is part of the UAB Simulation Consortium?

The consortium brings together simulation programs across the UAB enterprise, including the Children’s of Alabama Pediatric Simulation Center, to stay connected, share information and remain aware of simulation efforts happening across the system.

Its mission? To design and implement high quality health-care simulation and simulation-based assessment activities, research health-care simulation and its effect on health-care education, and improve patient care throughout the UAB and Children's of Alabama community.

We’re glad to be part of this broader network and simply wanted to share that connection with our partners and readers.

Learn More

Staff Spotlight:

Bonny Joly, M.S.N., R.N.

This month, UAB Mobile Simulation is proud to highlight Bonny Joly, M.S.N., R.N., a senior simulation coordinator whose work strengthens the connection between mobile and virtual learning across the health system.

Joly’s clinical background is primarily in critical care, with specific interests and experience in cardiopulmonary care. She began her career at UAB in 2012 and served as an educator in the Medical ICU before joining UAB Clinical Simulation in October 2021.

“As both the mobile and virtual simulation programs have grown, our work has increasingly overlapped,” Joly said. “In 2023, I began focusing more intentionally on virtual simulation development, and over the past two years, virtual simulation has expanded significantly as a learning resource. Together, this growth has created meaningful and natural opportunities for collaboration.”

eLearning eXperiences

Pain, Perspective and the Patient Experience

Pain communication is a core part of clinical care—and a key driver of patient experience in the postoperative setting.

Our Patient Experience: Pain Communication simulation places learners in a realistic recovery-room scenario where assessment, explanation and response matter as much as clinical interventions.

Further Down the Road

Mercedees Willis, DNP, MSN, AGACNP-BC

Mobile Simulation Coordinator

Mobile Momentum and Mindset

As we look ahead to the coming months, our calendar is beginning to fill with site visits and simulation days across our partner hospitals. In the spirit of our Sim First approach, we encourage teams to think about simulation as an opportunity to practice before we perform—creating space to work through scenarios, strengthen communication and build team confidence in a supportive environment. If your team has been considering scheduling a session—whether it’s a focused scenario day or something you’ve been wanting to revisit—now is a great time to reach out.

We’re always glad to work with teams to find something that fits your goals, your space and your schedule. Even if you’re just in the early “thinking about it” stage, feel free to connect and start the conversation. We appreciate the continued partnership and look forward to being back on the road with many of you soon.

www.uabsimulation.org