A “pregnant” mannequin named “Noelani” is providing doctors and nurses at Maui Memorial Medical Center a way to practice handling realistic childbirth emergencies without risking the lives of mothers and their newborns.

The $22,000 mannequin is hooked up to a computer program that simulates various emergency situations, which rarely happen but nevertheless put pregnant moms and their babies at risk.

“This is awesome, especially for a new person like me,” said nurse Cindy Hansam, who has worked six months in Maui Memorial’s nursery. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from my mistakes.”

So far, about 20 medical professionals have participated in the first-of-its-kind training program. These include obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists and operating room personnel. Read more