WesternU Expands VR Podiatric Medical Training
The College of Podiatric Medicine at the Western University of Health Sciences is expanding its virtual reality operating theatre through a $500,000 financial contribution. Dr Bruce Lawrence and Mrs Janet Lawrence donated the funds. Acting Dean Jacqueline Truong, DPM, MPH, FACFAS, DABPM, noted the investment supports an integrated curriculum designed to optimise patient safety. The college administration intends to utilise the technology to facilitate technical changes in podiatric medical education.
Third-year podiatric medical students will commence training with the first two virtual reality modules during the current academic semester. The first module provides specific instruction on the common surgical instruments used in podiatric procedures. The second virtual reality module focuses on the anatomical structure of the lower extremities. This software component also instructs students on standard incisions required in podiatric surgical interventions. According to Truong, the digital operating environment provides layered instruction that gradually increases in complexity. This pedagogical structure lets students build foundational knowledge before moving to practical application in the simulated setting.
Through this digital interface, students engage in comprehensive reviews of human anatomy. They study the underlying medical rationale for specific surgical incisions alongside the precise physical locations for executing these cuts. The virtual reality modules also incorporate a competency-based education framework. The underlying software tracks each student’s progress over time. This ongoing tracking mechanism ensures that all participants meet their designated educational objectives. Truong indicated that the students achieve technical competency through a curriculum that actively accommodates their current educational levels.
The Lawrence family’s financial contribution supports a broader institutional vision to develop the virtual reality surgical facilities further. The college intends to expand the software platform to include complete simulated surgeries. The planned expansion will also accommodate multi-user environments designed for interprofessional collaborative medical teams. Truong described these simulated surgical groups as highly educated individuals with different methodological approaches to clinical problem-solving. The simulations replicate high-stakes medical scenarios, allowing complex teams to collaborate on resolving complications. This systematic preparation aims to maximise patient safety outcomes during live surgical procedures.
The institutional developments correspond to the educational priorities established by Dr Lawrence. His primary focus is preparing future podiatric physicians by integrating modern technological developments. Bruce Lawrence, DPM, and his wife, Janet, have a history of philanthropic engagement supporting various educational and health care initiatives. Dr Lawrence has a background as a podiatric surgeon, a medical equipment inventor, and an academic educator. His professional career in the medical field spans more than 55 years. He said the virtual modules prepare medical students for surgical practice in a safe environment. This preparation occurs before the students enter a physical operating theatre, which he noted better prepares them to serve patients from their first days in an active clinic.
These virtual reality learning modules could benefit medical students beyond the Western University of Health Sciences. After successfully validating the digital tools within the internal curriculum, the college plans to partner with external podiatric medical schools. Truong confirmed this joint effort will enable the distribution of the virtual reality resources across other educational institutions.
In addition to funding the digital learning modules, the donors established an endowed scholarship fund valued at $50,000. The financial awards from this endowment will begin distribution during the 2026 to 2027 academic year. Dr Lawrence indicated that the affordability of podiatric medical education is as important as the standard of career preparation. He also attributed the scholarship to a rapid increase in the wider societal demand for podiatric medical care. The primary aim of the financial aid is to help more students enter the podiatric medical profession by reducing economic barriers.
