The Class of 2023: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine

UNLV
(Image credit: Future)

From the left: Paul Hairston, IT tech 4: James King, assistant director of AV Services; Christopher Kauppi, IT tech 4

(Image credit: University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

AV/IT TEAM: James King, assistant director of AV Services; Paul Hairston, IT tech 4; Christopher Kauppi, IT tech 4; 10 student workers

GOALS: The ultimate goal of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine is to provide students with the highest-quality medical education, leveraging state-of-the-art technology, low- and high-fidelity simulation, live standardized patient actors, and both virtual and cadaveric anatomy and dissection. The Medical Education Building supports the ability to grow the School of Medicine from 60 students per class up to 120 students per class.

CHALLENGES: Not only did supply chain issues arise during the upgrade, but the AV/IT team itself underwent a transformation. Six months before the opening of the Medical Education Building, the AV Services team was formed to support the AV needs of the School of Medicine. The team had to quickly get up to speed on the AV technology being used in the build.

The Medical Education Building at UNLV allows the school of medicine to provide top-tier medical education by providing the latest in technology.

The Medical Education Building at UNLV allows the school of medicine to provide top-tier medical education by providing the latest in technology.  (Image credit: University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

The first floor of the Medical Education Building houses spaces for anatomy, clinical skills, and a simulation center.

The first floor of the Medical Education Building houses spaces for anatomy, clinical skills, and a simulation center. (Image credit: University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

The learning studios provide flexibility in room configuration and allow the instructor to choose between teaching in the round, or from a more traditional lectern at the front of the room.

The learning studios provide flexibility in room configuration and allow the instructor to choose between teaching in the round, or from a more traditional lectern at the front of the room.  (Image credit: University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
EQUIPMENT SNAPSHOT

Crestron NVX360, Crestron NVX350C, BIAMP Devo, BIAMP Tesira; Sennheiser TCC2, Sennheiser microphones, Vaddio RoboFLIP, Vaddio RoboShot 30E, Crestron ceiling speakers, Sharp NEC displays ranging from 32 to 75 inches, Sharp NEC NP-PA703, Sharp NEC NP-PX1004, Visix DMP, Visix E74, YahamLED video wall, Logitech Meetup

FINAL INSTALL/USER BENEFITS: The Medical Education Building allows the school of medicine to provide top-tier medical education by providing the latest in technology. The Medical Education Building includes two large learning studios that can support class sizes up to 120 students. The learning studios provide flexibility in room configuration and allow the instructor to choose between teaching in the round, or from a more traditional lectern at the front of the room. Beside the two large spaces, there are 23 small group rooms and six medium classrooms that allow students to work in groups as they solve problems. There are also many one- to four-person study/huddle spaces spread out between the floors. The first floor of the Medical Education Building also houses spaces for anatomy, clinical skills, and a simulation center. There are standardized patient exam rooms that allow students to interact with patients, played by live actors. These rooms are recorded and monitored from a central control room. There is also a simulation surgery room and three mock exam rooms.

Cindy Davis
Brand and content director of AV Technology

Cindy Davis is the brand and content director of AV Technology (AVT). She was a critical member of the AVT editorial team when the title won the “Best Media Brand” laurel in the 2018 SIIA Jesse H. Neal Awards. Davis moderates several monthly AV/IT roundtables and enjoys facilitating and engaging in deeper conversations about the complex topics shaping the ever-evolving AV/IT industry. She explores the ethos of collaboration, hybrid workplaces, experiential spaces, and artificial intelligence to share with readers. Previously, she developed the TechDecisions brand of content sites for EH Publishing, named one of the “10 Great Business Media Websites” by B2B Media Business magazine. For more than 25 years, Davis has developed and delivered multiplatform content for AV/IT B2B and consumer electronics B2C publications, associations, and companies. A lifelong New Englander, Davis makes time for coastal hikes with her husband, Gary, and their Vizsla rescue, Dixie, sailing on one of Gloucester’s great schooners and sampling local IPAs. Connect with her on LinkedIn