SMMC Officially Opens “SIM Suite” to Prepare Staff for New Hospital

SINT MAARTEN — St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) marked an important milestone on September 15, 2026 with the official opening of its brand new medical simulation lab, known as the "SIM Suite" — a facility designed to provide hands-on, realistic clinical training to prepare medical and nursing staff for the upcoming transition to the St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH).

"The SIM Suite is a simulation center that allows our staff to receive training and education in a controlled environment," said SMMC CEO Dr. Felix Holiday. "It is a safe, low risk setting where our nurses, doctors and technicians can learn new skills and hone existing ones."

Dr. Jumoke Vreden, SMMC Anesthesiologist and SIM Suite Project Leader, outlined the core framework for its success: "The SIM Suite is built upon six fundamental pillars — Stuff, Staff, Support, Space, Storage and Sustainability. By combining advanced mannequins, skill trainers and audio-visual systems with a trained faculty of facilitators, we ensure our healthcare teams receive practical, hands-on training that directly improves real world patient outcomes."

The SIM Suite was made possible with financial assistance through the St. Maarten Trust Fund, managed by The World Bank, which provided the specialized equipment and training needed for the space.

The opening ceremony featured practical demonstrations of the advanced simulation equipment and guided tours of the new facility, underscoring SMMC's commitment to continuous quality improvement in anticipation of the transition to the new St. Maarten General Hospital.

Source: SHTA