From Practice to Precision: What Football and Patient Safety Have in Common

If you've known me for a hot minute, you’ve probably heard me mention Texas A&M football. You see, I grew up in College Station, Texas, where my parents were professors. I have been an Aggie fan my whole life, but it hasn’t always been easy. The last national championship came in 1939. You heard that right! So you see, I’ve been walking around with a bit more pep in my step lately. My Aggies are undefeated, ranked #3 in the college football standings, and might have a legitimate opportunity this year. If you can’t tell, I’m pretty thrilled about it.

Now, I realize I’m living in Ravens territory, but I’ve got to admit: I’m still a Patriots fan (don’t worry – we can still all be friends!). I’m especially excited that my family is coming down this December to catch the Patriots-Ravens game with me. With both teams playing better, it’s shaping up to be a great matchup, and I can’t wait to share that experience with them here in our new hometown.

Football season always gets me thinking about preparation. The endless hours of drills, film study, discipline, and teamwork that lead up to game day remind me of what happens behind the scenes in healthcare. Just like a successful team doesn’t walk onto the field without practice, our teams at GBMC HealthCare don’t walk into patient rooms without training, collaboration, and an eye on constant improvement.

That’s why I was so excited to join Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for our brand-new Immersion Room.

Housed within our already-impressive Simulation Innovation Learning Center, this state-of-the-art space takes simulation training to a whole new level. The Immersion Room fully surrounds learners in a 360-degree virtual environment. One moment, you could be performing CPR in the GBMC executive office space (this was the initial drill that we participated in); the next, you could be managing another complex clinical scenario in our operating room.

The walls respond to touch. The manikins respond to communication. It’s the closest thing to real life, but without real-life risk. Think of it like a high-tech video game with a life-saving mission.

This initiative began back in January 2024. Back then, Bonnie Stein (former Board of Directors Chair, current board member, and longtime nursing advocate) introduced Ashley Bandurchin and our Chief Nursing Officer, Angie Feurer, to Naples Community Health, a leader in simulation innovation.

What’s been created is truly incredible: a space where clinicians can build skills, confidence, and teamwork before they ever step up to the bedside.

Why does this matter?

Because in healthcare, every decision and every second counts. Because zero harm is our ultimate goal. And because, as Coach John Wooden famously said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” 

The Immersion Room gives us a powerful place to prepare, not just individually, but together. When we prepare as a team, we perform better as a team. That’s how we keep patients safe. That’s how we improve outcomes. And that’s how we continue to raise the bar for clinical excellence at GBMC HealthCare.

So here’s to football season, to game-day energy, and to every play we practice behind the scenes to deliver the very best care when it matters most.

COMMENTS

**Susan Cohen commented on 11/11/25 at 09:42:**
Love this new thinking with a move forward. With that said I feel we should step forward with a new goal to bring GBMC into a brighter and more modern approach to woman's and children's care. A state of the art center that would incorporate everything from pre-natal care, OBGYN and Pediatrician offices, L&D, Mother Baby, NICU, Pediatric ED and inpatient, PICU, woman's surgery. For GBMC to have a free standing facility would not only show the community our dedication to woman's and children's health but would leap us forward among other hospitals in our area.

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    Thank you Susan for the feedback.  It is well stated. I am assessing, learning, and will work with our board, community, and team to position us for long term success. I think the areas you raise are critical based on our founding
     history. More to come.
 

**Beth Feeney commented on 11/11/25 at 08:51:**
Great analogy! It's okay if you love the Patriots. Pittsburgh would be a different story. : )

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
     Ha…deal!
 

**Agnieszka Klyszewski commented on 11/11/25 at 07:31:**
I am next level thrilled to see that GBMC has completed its Immersion Room Simulation Training Center. Having come from a Simulation Center background at Johns Hopkins medical school, I'm very familiar with the mission and complexities of Simulation training in medicine. Wondering if it would be possible that I could come and take a walk through the new Immersion room.

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    I don't see why not. I would contact the  Ashley Bandurchin or Clinton Noll to see if they can faciliate. I will let them know you may reach out to them.
 

**Anne Timmons commented on 11/11/25 at 07:20:**
Hi Dr. G!  

I'm a huge college football fan - although I'm Sooners and Alabama (big game this Saturday), as long are you are not a University of Texas fan we can be friends :).  I've been watching your Aggies and they are having a great season!

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    Thanks Anne. What a crazy weekend of college football. It started out rough, but an Aggie win coupled with a longhorn loss is all I need for a terrific weekend. I did watch the Bama-OU game. It was great!
 

**Kimberly Huesman commented on 11/11/25 at 07:08:**
Dear Dr. G,

I have been really enjoying your blogs. It is really nice to know the personal side of our CEO.

Welcome to GBMC and go RAVENS!

Kimberly Huesman
Secretary to Dr. Joan Blomquist

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    Thanks for warm welcome Kimberly.