The University of Wisconsin Department of Anesthesiology is proud of its long history of offering outstanding clinical and didactic instruction to residents and medical students. Now, in keeping with this tradition of innovation in education, the Department presents the newly remodeled Human Simulation and Education Center. At the heart of this 700 square foot facility are two METI Human Patient Simulators, offering unprecedented learning opportunities to practitioners in a wide range of health care fields. A part of training at the UW since 1998, the METI Human Patient Simulator integrates a manikin, anesthesia machine, ventilator, monitoring equipment, and sophisticated computer hardware and software to teach residents in much the same way astronauts and pilots are taught. The manikin has been designed to simulate an actual patient ­ it breathes, consumes oxygen, produces carbon dioxide, has palpable pulses and audible breath sounds, responds to neuromuscular stimulation, and displays real-time pulse, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry responses mimicking those seen clinically. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling, along with realistic respiratory and cardiovascular physiology, allows residents to explore clinical medicine in a hands-on way not previously possible. The Human Simulator enables clinicians to develop and refine skills in airway management, monitoring, and the operation of resuscitation equipment far more rapidly and safely than when traditional teaching methods are used. In addition, advanced residents learn to diagnosis and treat life-threatening problems that may be encountered only rarely during medical training (e.g. anaphylaxis, malignant hyperthermia, etc). Critical incidents can be simulated and managed, introducing residents to essential problem-solving skills and the dynamics of a team approach to acute patient care.