The Washington University Institute for Surgical Education (WISE) Center was one of the first surgical skills labs in the country established to augment a general surgery residency program. The lab was established, in part, as a response to work-hour restrictions for residents, and the increasing complexity of surgical techniques. In addition, the surgical community, in a time of growing public awareness, has realized the benefit of allowing novices to be introduced to new techniques in a low-stress environment, free from patient safety concerns.
The WISE Center’s primary learners are Washington University School of Medicine general surgery residents. The center serves the residents through a broad curriculum that includes use of endoscopy and laparoscopic simulators, training in surgical techniques and instrumentation, cadaver dissection, instruction in emergent procedures and preparation for performing specific surgical procedures. Training in the surgical skills curriculum is provided at both the WISE Center and the Wood Simulation Center.
In addition to general surgery residents, the WISE Center also provides training to practicing surgeons, physicians from other disciplines, residents from other disciplines, medical students, allied health professionals and nurses. The center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and is one of only 31 institutes to offer Fundamentals of Endoscopy Surgery (FES), Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS), and Fundamentals of Surgical Energy (FUSE) testing. WISE Director Michael Awad, MD, PhD, along with Administrator Gretchen Blow, MSL, EdD and Lab Coordinators Angelia DeClue, CST and Karen Schubert, CST oversee the center. To inquire about courses, and/or tours, please visit our website.
News from the WISE Center
WISE Reopens (Links to an external site)
Bringing WISE Home (Links to an external site)
Nurses Receive Robotics Training at WISE Lab (Links to an external site)
