SINT MAARTEN (CAY HILL) - St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) marked an important milestone on September 15, 2026, with the official opening of its brand new medical simulation lab, known as the "SIM Suite". The facility is designed to provide hands on, realistic clinical training to prepare medical and nursing staff for the upcoming transition to the St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH).
The official opening ceremony took place at the patio area at SMMC with a welcoming walk-in, followed by opening remarks from key leadership, practical demonstrations and guided tours of the new SIM Suite facility.
Addressing the audience during the ceremony, SMMC CEO Dr. Felix Holiday emphasized the strategic importance of the facility for the hospital's future: "The SIM Suite is a simulation center that allows our staff to receive training and education in a controlled environment. It is a safe, low risk setting where our nurses, doctors and technicians can learn new skills and hone existing ones.”
Highlighting the impact of continuous learning for patient care staff, Antonio Pantophlet, SMMC Manager of Inpatient Care, added: "Our patient care staff are at the frontlines every day. Having a dedicated space like the SIM Suite empowers our nurses to continuously refine their skills, foster teamwork and practice emergency responses in a safe, controlled environment.”
Dr. Jumoke Vreden, SMMC Anesthesiologist and the SIM Suite Project Leader, presented the operational overview of the project and outlined the core framework for its success:
"The SIM Suite is built upon six fundamental pillars for simulation success: Stuff, Staff, Support, Space, Storage and Sustainability. By combining advanced mannequins, skill trainers and Audio-Visual systems with a trained faculty of facilitators, we ensure our healthcare teams receive practical, hands-on training that directly improves real world patient outcomes."
The SIM Suite was made possible with financial assistance provided through the St. Maarten Trust Fund which is managed by The World Bank.
Ms. Rina Meutia, Operations Officer at the World Bank Group overseeing the St. Maarten Trust Fund Program who was in attendance remarked: “The SIM Suite reflects the vision and dedication of Dr. Jumoke Vreden and the SMMC team, who saw an opportunity to continuously strengthen how their staff train and care for patients. Through the St. Maarten Trust Fund, we were pleased to support that vision by providing the specialized equipment and training needed for the space. As St. Maarten moves closer to opening the new St. Maarten General Hospital, giving healthcare professionals a safe space to refine their skills ultimately means that people in St. Maarten can rely on higher quality, safer care closer to home.
Following the speeches, attendees witnessed live demonstrations of advanced simulation equipment. The event concluded with guided tours to the SIM Suite, allowing guests to experience the facility firsthand”.
The establishment of the SIM Suite underscores SMMC’s commitment to continuous quality improvement and workforce development in anticipation to the transition to the new St. Maarten General Hospital.
CPR simulation.
