A premier hub for simulation training
The Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation (GCSI) is one of the Midwest’s largest simulation centers. Spanning 16,000 square feet and home to state-of-the-art medical and surgical simulation labs, the GCSI is a premier destination for interdisciplinary training, education and innovation. Here, healthcare professionals, students and industry leaders come together to shape the future of care.
The Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation is dually accredited as a comprehensive Level I program by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Education Institute and is fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for Core Operations and Teaching/Education Standards.
Our medical and surgical simulation labs provide pioneering, immersive training that mirrors real-world clinical challenges. Combining local convenience with world-class learning, tools and support, we help you take your training further — right here in greater Chicago.
Labs & scheduling
Expand your skills and help advance patient care through our learner-focused simulation labs. Learn more about how to get involved.
Medical simulation that transforms practice
The Medical Simulation Program offers comprehensive training for healthcare professionals, students and emergency responders. Our state-of-the-art medical simulation lab recreates complex clinical scenarios using advanced technology and real-world data — cultivating confidence, coordination and clinical accuracy in a safe, supportive setting.
Simulation gives learners the chance to practice rare or high-risk situations safely and repeatedly. Each session is guided from a centralized control room, where instructors adjust scenarios in real time and observe team responses under pressure.
Comprehensive specialty training
The program supports a wide range professionals across multiple disciplines:
- Emergency medicine
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Anesthesia
- EMS
Scenarios often draw from real hospital cases and include EKGs, imaging, and de-identified patient visuals to enhance realism. We also participate in a Chicagoland Simulation Fellowship Collaborative, which provides numerous training and education opportunities for emergency medicine physicians.
Task trainers support skill-building across a range of procedures, including:
- Airway management (non-invasive, intubation, surgical airways, difficult airway adjuncts)
- Cardiac defibrillation and pacing
- Chest tube insertion (tube thoracostomy)
- Central line placement
- IV and intraosseous access
- Drug administration
- Lumbar puncture
- Obstetric procedures and ultrasound
Beyond technical skills, learners are encouraged to practice reflective thinking — analyzing how past experiences inform future decisions. This mindset supports continuous growth in high-pressure environments.
Every session ends with a structured debriefing, including video playback, to help participants assess their performance and extract meaningful insights. These post-simulation reviews are key to turning experience into lasting clinical improvement.
To use the medical simulation lab, participants must schedule time to train. Additionally, participants may need to complete pre-training modules before hands-on sessions.
For questions or to get scheduled, email lvillarreal [at] northshore.org (lvillarreal[at]northshore[dot]org) or call (847) 570-4223.
Surgical simulation that drives precision and safety
The Surgical Simulation Program offers advanced training for physicians, residents, nurses, medical students, physician assistants and other allied health professionals. Our learners become adept at surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes, reduce complications and post-operative pain, and enhance safety and recovery.
As surgical technology advances, so does the need for training outside of the operating room. The learning objectives of our simulation-based surgical skills training and education include:
- Improving and refining basic and advanced surgical techniques in a simulated/safe environment, without negative consequences to patients
- Enhancing patient outcomes by reducing complications and post-operative pain
- Improving safety and post-operative quality of life for patients
- Reducing the steep learning curve of new and advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques and increase mastery and proficiency before application in patients
- Improving operating room performance and operative time
- Building non-technical competencies such as interpersonal and communication skills and teamwork
Leading-edge technology
Our surgical simulation lab features:
- 15 fully equipped surgical stations for procedural training
- Advanced simulators that mimic real-life scenarios, including Simbionix Lap Mentors and FES Trainer, FLS box trainers, DaVinci Si and Xi robotic system and simulators, and high fidelity models
- Advanced instruments and equipment including Olympus towers and Storz towers, a variety of electrosurgical generators, MIS recorders, advanced monitoring equipment, Dräger anesthesia machines, DaVinci Si and Xi robotic systems, and Zeiss surgical microscopes
Comprehensive specialty training
The program supports a wide range of surgical and medical disciplines:
- General surgery
- ENT
- Gastroenterology
- Neurosurgery
- Interventional cardiology
- Orthopedic and plastic surgery
- Urology
- OB-GYN
If you do not see your discipline listed, please email gcsiapplication [at] northshore.org (gcsiapplication[at]northshore[dot]org) to determine if we can accommodate your specialty.
Industry training, research & development
The surgical lab offers full technical and operational support for industry partners to host a variety of sessions, including:
- Non-GLP and GLP testing
- Internal development
- Voice of customer
- Product training
- New hire training
- Comparative studies
- Design validation studies
A variety of model types are available upon request. To learn more, email gcsiapplication [at] northshore.org (gcsiapplication[at]northshore[dot]org) or call (847) 570-4223.
To use the surgical simulation lab, participants must schedule time to train. Additionally, participants may need to complete pre-training modules before hands-on sessions.
For questions or to get scheduled, email gcsiapplication [at] northshore.org (gcsiapplication[at]northshore[dot]org )or call (847) 570-4223.
The Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation (GCSI) is located at:
Evanston Hospital
2650 Ridge Ave., Room B665
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-4223
View floorplan
Our leadership team doesn’t just support our mission — they drive it. Their combined expertise fuels the innovation, learning and collaboration at the heart of our simulation work.
Michael B. Ujiki, MD, FACS, FASGE
Surgical Director, Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation
Louis W. Biegler Chair of Surgery
Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Endeavor Health
Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Endeavor Health
Fellowship Program Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Endeavor Health
Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Bridget M. Wild, MD, FAAP, CHSE
Alvin H. Baum Family Fund Chair of Simulation and Innovation
Medical Director, Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation
Vice Chair of Inpatient Pediatrics & Quality, Endeavor Health
Director of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Endeavor Health
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Ernest E. Wang, MD, FACEP
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Chief, Division of Emergency Medicine, Endeavor Health
Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Justin R. Brueck, MHA, MA
Vice President, Innovation and Research, Endeavor Health
Powered by generous support
The work of the GCSI is made possible thanks to the generosity of donors who share our vision for safer, smarter healthcare. Philanthropic support fuels our mission — advancing patient care, research and medical education for generations to come.
We are especially grateful to the following foundations for their support:
- The Alvin H. Baum Family Fund
- The Jerome and Ilene Cole Foundation
- Ms. Debora de Hoyos and Mr. Walter C. D. Carlson
- Grainger Foundation
- Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park
- The Auxiliary at Highland Park Hospital
The Simbulance is an ambulance used for community outreach, emergency training and prevention. We’re happy to visit your school, senior center or special event to provide interactive health education like bystander CPR training, type 1 diabetes management and more.
To learn more about bringing The Simbulance to your organization or event, email jcasey [at] northshore.org (jcasey[at]northshore[dot]org).
Simulation learning in action
Step into our simulation labs, where learners practice real-world medical and surgical scenarios alongside peers and clinical experts. From hands-on procedures to high-stakes interventions, every experience builds skill, confidence and a shared commitment to better care.
Simulation learning in action
Step into our simulation labs, where learners practice real-world medical and surgical scenarios alongside peers and clinical experts. From hands-on procedures to high-stakes interventions, every experience builds skill, confidence and a shared commitment to better care.
Simulation learning in action
Step into our simulation labs, where learners practice real-world medical and surgical scenarios alongside peers and clinical experts. From hands-on procedures to high-stakes interventions, every experience builds skill, confidence and a shared commitment to better care.
Simulation learning in action
Step into our simulation labs, where learners practice real-world medical and surgical scenarios alongside peers and clinical experts. From hands-on procedures to high-stakes interventions, every experience builds skill, confidence and a shared commitment to better care.
Simulation learning in action
Step into our simulation labs, where learners practice real-world medical and surgical scenarios alongside peers and clinical experts. From hands-on procedures to high-stakes interventions, every experience builds skill, confidence and a shared commitment to better care.
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