Family and friends gathered at GateWay Community College today to dedicate the James K. Wright Simulation Lab.
James (Jim) Wright taught in GateWay’s nursing department and retired in 2014. Jim was proud to have been instrumental in the development of the first Nursing Simulation (SIM) Lab at GateWay Community College. At the time, this technology was new, and GateWay was on the cutting edge of utilizing fully functional manikins, which allowed students to develop and refine their clinical skills before interacting with real patients. Today, simulation continues to serve as a cornerstone of GateWay’s healthcare education programs.
Through a gift from his estate, Jim’s sons, Josh and Gabriel Wright, decided to name GateWay’s newest SIM lab in honor of their father and establish a program fund to ensure the lab remains state-of-the-art for generations to come.
Jim's passion for teaching and his role in developing GateWay’s SIM Lab laid a foundation for excellence in nursing education. By naming the SIM Lab in his honor, the Wright family ensures that his legacy continues to inspire and equip future generations of healthcare professionals.
His colleagues, who fondly referred to him as “SIM Jim,” remembered him as an innovator who brought imagination, collaboration, and laughter to every challenge.
Thank you to the Wright family for continuing to support GateWay and the future generation of nurses.
For more information about the Maricopa Foundation, visit https://www.gatewaycc.edu/giving-gateway/giving-gwcc.
View photos from the event on Facebook.