The Pediatric Simulation Center at Children’s of Alabama celebrated the training of its 100,000th learner since its founding in 2008. This milestone marks a major achievement in the center’s mission to improve outcomes through immersive, hands-on education.
The center was founded by Nancy Tofil, M.D., M.Ed., professor in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, medical co-director of the Pediatric Simulation Center, and division director of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care. Early funding from the Protective Life Foundation and an anonymous donor allowed for the purchase of child, teen, and infant simulators; video equipment; and the hiring of the center’s first nurse educator.
What began with mock codes and small-scale simulations has grown into a nationally recognized training hub. It now serves physicians, nurses, medical and nursing students, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, families, and middle and high school students.
Over time, the center evolved from promoting its services to becoming a trusted resource that hospital teams regularly seek out for guidance and support. It is known for creating a psychologically safe environment where learners are encouraged to make mistakes, reflect, and improve.
The 100,000th learner milestone was celebrated with cake, balloons, sparkling grape juice, and a banner. The learner received a swag bag and the team took photos to commemorate the occasion. The event not only marked the scale of the center’s work but also honored the team effort that made it possible.
Children’s of Alabama and UAB collaborated to celebrate the nursing teams from both organizations for the inaugural Heart of Birmingham Nurses Block Party. The event, held in October, included a photo booth, food trucks, games, music and the opportunity for the Children’s and UAB nursing teams to spend time together.
Held at Children’s, the weeklong camp gave students a behind the scenes look at nursing and pediatric hospital care. From learning how to take vital signs, to practicing CPR, to touring the hospital and speaking directly with nurses, campers got a firsthand feel for what it is like to work in pediatrics. The selected students were all from Birmingham City Schools, thereby creating the potential for a future college scholarship. A high school counselor and a representative from the mayor’s office attended and provided valuable information about course selections once in high school and what type of study habits are essential to success.
The overarching goal of the camp was to inspire middle schoolers early on to consider a career in nursing by showing how rewarding and impactful a nursing career can be. At the end of the week, leaders held a mini graduation ceremony with parents in attendance to celebrate the participants. The post evaluations were positive from both campers and parents. The camp was such a success that Children’s and BBNA are already planning for Summer Nurse Camp 2026.
Key takeaways from campers:
Participation in the Nurse Professional Achievement Program grew tremendously in 2025 with a 30% increase in nurses submitting letters of intent to participate.
The Nursing Professional Achievement Program (NPAP) recognizes accomplishments of nurses beyond their basic job duties. Nurses must meet essential criteria including educational level, years in specialty area, and years of service at Children’s of Alabama. There are four tracks available in the program: Registered Nurse (direct caregiver), Nurse Practitioner, Charge Nurse/Coordinator, and Nurse Educator. Within each track there are four levels of achievement. Nurses and NPs submit a portfolio containing documentation of completed activities in six categories, continuing education, leadership, education (education provided by the applicant), quality improvement, practice and research, and community service.
The growth in the program was related to intentional information sharing throughout the organization. Committee members made rounds in all areas on different shifts. Nurses were given the opportunity in real time to ask questions about the program and receive program documents. The Nursing Professional Achievement Program showcases the amazing accomplishments and professional development of Children’s nurses.
As the mental health crisis continues across the country, children and teens are in greater need of mental health services than ever before. In many cases, the first person to recognize the child’s need is a teacher. But the teacher may not always know how to help. That’s why Children’s of Alabama recently expanded one of its mental health programs to offer training for school personnel.
The program, Pediatric Access to Telemental Health Services (PATHS), has been around since 2019. Children’s established it—with support and funding from the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)—in response to the need for more mental health services, especially in rural areas. The initial goal was to help primary care providers understand how to help patients who present with mental health concerns. Through the program, Children’s mental health professionals offer consults or education for providers or even telehealth appointments for their patients.
PATHS has since expanded into urban areas, and now, thanks to the extension of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant, Children’s is offering support to school systems across the state.
“This is an important step for our program,” PATHS director Margo Harwell said. “Because they see students daily, school personnel play a critical role in identifying early signs of mental health concerns in students.”
To see how the program works, click here.
Children’s of Alabama awarded its first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in 2025. This special DAISY award was created to honor nurse educators for their inspirational influence on the nurses of today and tomorrow across the education continuum in academic and practice settings. These educators keep clinicians updated on evidence-based practice. Children’s staff can nominate a nurse educator who has impacted their career through teaching and mentoring.
In August, the Children’s of Alabama Dialysis Clinic received the 2025 Tweety Lasker Award during Hand in Paw's (HIP) annual Picasso Pets Gala. The award, established in 2007 by Dr. Jim and Katie Lasker in memory of their beloved greyhound, Tweety, is presented annually to an outstanding HIP partner for their exceptional efforts in bringing Animal-Assisted Therapy to their community.
HIP leaders say they received consistent reports of positive experiences from clinic visits by HIP teams, as well as feedback from Children's staff, patients and families highlighting benefits of the visits. The combination of these factors and the clinic's vital work made this selection a natural choice for the award, Hand in Paw leaders said.
"It's been an honor working with the leadership of the dialysis unit to build the department into what it is today," said Laura Needham, division director of Inpatient Nursing Services. "The staff, patients, and families are genuinely happy. This award and opportunity to share a little about dialysis provides another platform for spreading awareness of pediatric kidney disease and treatments for it, including dialysis."
This marks Children's of Alabama's fourth time receiving the honor.