BANGOR – Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has announced the arrival of a new Mobile Simulation Training Ambulance, made possible by a $35,000 grant from the Consortium for Healthcare Education and Training, in partnership with the Building-ME Network Executive Council. The unit will be launched into service this summer to expand critical hands-on training opportunities for emergency services workers and healthcare professionals across central, eastern, and northern Maine.
The grant award to Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Medical Education department funded the purchase and equipping of the ambulance as a dedicated mobile training platform. This new resource addresses a growing regional need for advanced simulation training, particularly in emergent obstetrical and newborn care.
“Health service organizations in Eastern and Northern Maine have highlighted a significant need for continued training in high-risk clinical scenarios, especially emergency obstetrical and newborn care,” James Jarvis, MD, FAAFP, director, Clinical Education at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, said. “This mobile unit represents a major step forward in our ability to deliver realistic trainings directly to the communities that need it most.”
Currently, Northern Light Health partners with MaineHealth’s Mobile Simulation team to deliver courses across Down East and Central Maine. With MaineHealth reaching capacity for training requests, the new Northern Light unit will enable expanded collaboration while allowing the Medical Center’s simulation staff to bring training directly to rural and underserved areas. The ambulance will support the use of high-fidelity mannequins in realistic field environments, ideal for EMS, fire rescue agencies, and other emergency responders.
“In addition to clinical training, the mobile unit will support workforce pipeline initiatives through outreach at schools and community events, helping to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals” Ava Collins, MHA, FACHE, president, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, said.
The need for this enhanced training capacity is particularly urgent following the closure of four maternity units in 2025, three of which were within Eastern Maine Medical Center’s primary coverage area. Many remaining rural hospitals continue to provide maternity care with lower patient volumes, which can challenge ongoing clinical competency. While obstetrical and newborn care is a priority focus, the mobile simulation ambulance will support a wide range of training scenarios to strengthen overall emergency preparedness and patient care across the region.
“Eastern Maine Medical Center’s simulation team is uniquely positioned to partner with our skilled clinical educators and extend training opportunities into more rural communities,” Dr. Jarvis said. “This investment will help ensure our frontline providers are better prepared to deliver high-quality care when needed, even in the most rural communities.”