Paramedicine Simulation labs

In the 2021/22 academic year the Portage College Paramedicine team evaluated their on-site labs and identified the need to give students a more realistic experience that allowed clear expectations for their roles.

The new simulation labs were developed at the Lac La Biche Campus with the intent to expose students to what they would typically experience in real life scenarios.

“Giving students the experience and the tools, they need in order to best perform the job at hand is what is important to our program,” said Shona Hommy, Associate Dean for Health and Human Services at Portage College.

The simulation labs that where created are as follows

• A back-alley simulation
• Front room/kitchen in a home
• Bedroom and washroom in a lodge
• An emergency department room

The simulated rooms create a full sensory experience, using tools such as lighting, visuals and sounds to simulate as close to real life scenarios as the students can get. This is supported through the use of “lifelike” dummies, allowing students to simulate CPR, IV insertions, as well as a mass casualty incident later in their training.

One of the highlights is the beautiful mural created in the “back alley simulation,” room. This was created by a Fine Arts graduate student of Portage College. We would like to thank Miya Lamoureux for her contribution to this project, and for helping the College bring this simulation lab to life.

Portage would like to thank the Lac La Biche County for partnering to raise funds during the 2022 Healthier Communities Golf Tournament. Thanks to the supporters of that event, the money raised went towards the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation and Portage College health programs to support initiatives like the simulation labs. Alongside this we would like to recognize the Faculty and members of the public, that donated to this special project.

For more information about the Paramedicine programs:
Samantha McDonnell, Marketing Specialist
780-623-5654 or email

Media Inquiries:
Jaime Davies, Corporate Communications Manager 
780-623-5581 or email