Lake Area Technical College Nursing Simulation Center Earns Provisional Accreditation in Watertown, South Dakota

Pictured are (from left) Amber Schleusner, Center Director for Healthcare; Mindy Sandau, Healthcare Simulation Lab Coordinator; and Jenny Wilen, Healthcare Simulation Lab Manager.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College has earned provisional accreditation for its Nursing Simulation Center from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), placing LATC among a select group of accredited healthcare simulation programs worldwide.

The SSH accreditation — widely considered the gold standard in healthcare simulation — recognizes programs that meet rigorous criteria for educational quality, safety, and effectiveness. LATC earned accreditation in two categories: Core Standards and Teaching/Education Standards, becoming only the third institution in South Dakota to achieve SSH simulation accreditation.

Immediate care for athletes: Get back in the game quickly with Quick Care. Walk in anytime for minor injuries at 1056 29th St SE, Watertown, SD.

Amber Schleusner, LATC’s Center Director for Healthcare and Nursing Programs, said the recognition reflects years of work by faculty and staff.

“This accreditation validates the work our faculty and staff have invested in creating meaningful, realistic learning experiences for students,” Schleusner said. “Simulation plays a vital role in preparing students for clinical practice by allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in a safe environment where they can learn from their experiences and build confidence before caring for real patients.”

A Growing Center Serving Multiple Programs

LATC’s Nursing Simulation Center supports hands‑on training for students in:

·         Nursing

·         Medical Lab Technician

·         Medical Assistant

·         Med/Fire Rescue

·         Physical Therapist Assistant

·         Occupational Therapy Assistant

During the 2025–26 academic year, the center conducted 412 simulation experiences, giving students realistic clinical scenarios before entering patient‑care settings.

About Lake Area Technical College

Founded in 1965, Lake Area Technical College serves nearly 2,800 students across more than 30 career‑focused programs. LATC maintains a 99% placement rate, with most graduates choosing to live and work in South Dakota. The college previously received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, recognizing it as the top two‑year college in the nation.

More information is available at lakeareatech.edu.