Western Technical College will be hosting a ribbon cutting for its new XR Lab space on Friday, Oct. 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Kumm Center, 411 7^th St. N., La Crosse.

The lab features high-fidelity, mixed reality, virtual reality, and Standardized Patient Simulations through the use of advanced Extended Reality technology. These tools allow students to experience real-world scenarios in a safe, controlled environment, preparing them for the demands of healthcare practice. The programs utilizing this lab space include Nursing, EMS, Respiratory Therapy, Dental Assistant, and Surgical Technology.

"The opening of Western Technical College's Health and Public Safety Extended Reality lab marks a transformative step in how we prepare students for real-world healthcare and public safety challenges,” said Jamie Howell, Simulation Specialist at Western. “This lab allows us to place students in high-pressure environments that would be difficult—or impossible—to replicate in a traditional clinical or field setting. By utilizing this form of technology, we’re able to simulate complex scenarios, from emergency response to critical care, giving our students the chance to practice essential skills in a safe and immersive way.