In December 2022, the Washington University Institute for Surgical Education (WISE) received reaccreditation from the American College of Surgeons as an Accredited Education Institute (ACS-AEI). The ACS-AEI Program sets the standards for simulation-based surgical education and training in order to support lifelong learning among healthcare professionals and increase access to quality training. WISE first received Level 1 Comprehensive ASC-AEI accreditation in 2013.
In 2001, The Washington University General Surgery Residency established one of the first surgical simulation education centers of its kind. The lab evolved over time in response to a growing need for quality hands-on surgical training outside of the operating room and was formally established as the WISE center in 2010. WISE seeks to promote surgical education by providing a safe and ethical training environment for healthcare professionals to develop and hone a wide range of surgical skills. The center offers a variety of surgical skills labs and simulators ranging from basic fundamentals courses to high-tech virtual reality simulations and robotic surgery training programs.
Since 2018, WISE has additionally offered an ACS-AEI accredited education fellowship designed to advance future leaders and scholars in the areas of surgical education, simulation and training. Healthcare professionals and trainees can earn certifications through participation in labs at WISE. The center is additionally one of the few locations which serves as a testing center for certification for the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).
“Not only did we receive reaccreditation, but we also received commendations on our community outreach programs, the robust activities of the Surgical Education Research Group and the professional quality video tour of our center,” says WISE Director Michael Awad, MD, PhD, MHPE. “I would like to express my sincere thanks to every member of the WISE Steering Committee. A special thanks to Dr. Blatnik, Peggy Frisella, Angie DeClue, Karen Schubert, Julie Clanahan and Tiffany Brocke for all their efforts in preparing for and ensuring a smooth and successful site visit.”
Renewed ACS-AEI accreditation will allow WISE to continue to uphold only the best standards in education and further its missions of promoting the education of healthcare professionals, advancing surgical education through research and improving the welfare of the patient community.
WISE is located in the Clinical Sciences Research Building at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The center is available for use by residents and physicians of all disciplines, practicing surgeons, medical students, allied health professionals, nurses and other healthcare professionals. To learn more about all WISE has to offer, follow the link below.