WINTERVILLE--Since the beginning of fall semester in August, Pitt Community College Radiation Therapy students have been training on a fully functional simulator in a new simulation lab on campus thanks to a donation by Cape Fear Valley Health System's Radiation Therapy Department.

The simulator, which normally carries a $600,000-price tag, was donated to PCC by Cape Fear Valley in the spring of 2008. It was in storage, however, while the college completed construction of the Herman Simon Building, which opened this fall.

Elaine Spencer, PCC's Radiologic Sciences department chair, says the college's Siemens Simview NT will vastly enhance her students' clinical learning experience. She explained the simulator would allow them to develop a better understanding of the basic concepts associated with localizing cancer treatment areas prior to radiation delivery.

"By practicing with the new simulator, students will not only gain confidence and technical ability, they will become more prepared for their clinical rotations," Spencer said.

Although many cancer centers now utilize Computed Tomography (or CT) to assist in the localization process, Spencer said the conventional simulator, such as the Siemens Simview NT, is still an essential teaching tool.

"We are extremely grateful to Cape Fear Valley for the donation of this simulator," Spencer said. "It will play an important role in the preparation of radiation therapy students at PCC now and for years to come."

Please visit www.pittc.edu for more information about the college.