FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Simulation Center Expansion Advances Clinical Education at VHC Health
Arlington, VA (February 12, 2026) – VHC Health, a prominent community-based health system serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, has completed a 2,200-square-foot Simulation Center. This facility is named the Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry Simulation Center in honor of the philanthropic gift that made it possible. The Center enhances hands-on, immersive training opportunities for clinical staff, supporting VHC Health’s nationally recognized clinical excellence and patient safety across the health system.
The Simulation Center is designed to mirror real-world clinical environments. It includes a simulation procedure room, a simulation patient room, simulation bays, a control room, a training and debrief space, storage areas, offices, and additional support. These environments allow clinical teams to learn new techniques, refine existing skills, and practice procedures in realistic scenarios before applying them in patient care settings.
“VHC Health’s clinical teams are extraordinary people, and we are honored to support that work through this gift,” said Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry. “We know the impact this Simulation Center will have in ensuring VHC Health’s clinical teams are equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community. A health system is stronger when we invest in our people, and we are proud to make this gift in support of VHC Health because they truly deserve the very best.”
A key feature of the Simulation Center is its interdisciplinary training and unique, flowing design, which mirrors the movement of patients through actual care environments. The space allows teams to seamlessly transition through simulated care settings, such as moving from an emergency department scenario to an operating room, recovery area, and patient room, within a single simulation experience. The Simulation Center also features specialized simulation software that allows scenarios to be recorded and reviewed in real time.
“The community’s healthcare needs are always evolving, and our clinical teams must be prepared to meet those needs with confidence, skill, and compassion,” said Melody Dickerson, Senior Vice President for Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at VHC Health. “Simulation provides immersive, hands-on learning with the latest equipment, allowing our staff to retrain, practice, and master clinical skills in a safe environment. The Center will strengthen patient safety and ensure our teams are ready to deliver high-quality care when it matters most.”
This Simulation Center was made possible through a $3 million philanthropic gift from Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry, which includes the creation of the Arlene and Barry Dewberry Endowed Education Fund. The permanently endowed fund will generate annual support dedicated to simulation-based training and continuing education, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this critical program.
###
About VHC Health:
VHC Health® is an independent, not-for-profit, 548-bed health system serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area, anchored by a nationally recognized top teaching hospital. We deliver high-quality, patient-centered care using advanced technology. With a growing network of primary and specialty care locations, we make healthcare more accessible for our community. Consistently recognized as a leading health system in Virginia, VHC Health has earned numerous awards and proudly holds the Magnet® designation for nursing excellence.
