Meet Jackie: A Revolution in Maternal Care at Midland Health
At Midland Health, a quiet marvel has arrived, bringing with her the promise of safer
deliveries and empowered healthcare professionals. Her name is Jackie, and while she’s
not a person, she represents the heart of Midland Health’s mission to innovate, care, and
save lives. Jackie (MamaAnne) is a simulator made by Laerdal Medical, the newest addition
to the hospital’s training arsenal, equipped with cutting-edge features that will help
nurses, doctors, and staff prepare for the most challenging scenarios in labor and delivery.
But Jackie is much more than a piece of equipment. She is a symbol of teamwork,
innovation, and compassion.
Jackie’s arrival unfolds a story of purpose and heart. It’s the story of a dedicated team
working tirelessly to protect mothers, the unwavering generosity of the Auxiliary Pink
Ladies, whose vision brought a dream to life, and Jackie Geiling, whose leadership and
spirit gave Mama Anne her name. Together, they shaped a legacy of safety, compassion,
and progress.
A Tribute to Leadership and Community
Jackie’s arrival is a testament to the power of collaboration. It provides high-fidelity
simulation training in critical obstetric emergencies. Her $80,000 cost was entirely funded
by Midland Health’s Auxiliary group, specifically the Pink Ladies led the way in raising
money. The volunteers not only contributed financially but also lent personal meaning to
the mannequin’s name.
When the birth simulator first arrived, she was called MamaAnne, fresh out of the box. But
names carry weight, and the Pink Ladies, a spirited group of volunteers mostly made up of
retirees, believed she deserved one with a story behind it. Under the thoughtful guidance of
Jaclyn “Jackie” Geiling, the Auxiliary Gift Shop Director at Midland Health, they decided on
Jackie—to honor her leadership.
To the passing eye, Jackie might be recognized for her sweet demeanor, her knack for
problem-solving, or her talent for arranging the gift shop into a haven of comfort and joy.
But those who truly know her understand there’s more. Behind that gentle smile is a legacy
of compassion and dedication to helping others, a spirit that inspired a new life-saving tool
to share her name.
A Central Michigan University alum, Geiling’s background in English and grant writing
shaped a career where creativity met community impact. Her ability to weave stories, build
connections, and inspire action has been the driving force behind countless initiatives,
including the arrival of the birthing simulator that now carries her name.
Geiling’s role wasn’t just about raising funds; it was about uniting people for a shared
purpose. With her innovative thinking and steadfast commitment to community wellbeing,
she became the bridge that connected resources, volunteers, and hospital staff to
make Jackie’s purchase a reality. This wasn’t just another project for her; it was a
testament to what collaboration and heart can achieve.
“It’s an honor to serve our community and employees at Midland Memorial Hospital,”
Geiling shared. “This has truly been a group effort—from our incredible volunteers to
Michelle A. Giles, our auxiliary coordinator, and the people who shop in our gift shop and
vendor markets. None of this would be possible without collaboration.” Her words
resonate with a deep sense of gratitude, a recognition that this achievement belongs not to
one but to an entire network of people working together.
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A Mannequin with a Mission
The decision to make Jackie part of the Midland Health family was not taken lightly.
Jackie's predecessor, a mannequin named Noelle, had been a steadfast training
companion for over two decades. Gifted by Texas Tech years ago, Noelle helped train
countless staff members. But as technology advanced and Noelle stopped working, the
need for an updated simulation model became imperative for Midland Health’s maternity
teams.
“She was Noelle 1.0. I think she was one of their first models. She lasted for at least 20 to
25 years,” said Dr. Sanchez. Noelle served the staff and simulation team well, but it was
time for an upgrade. “We needed a birthing mom," for several reasons—primarily patient
safety and staff education, but also Noelle stopped working.” said Monique Wilson,
Simulation Coordinator for Midland Health.
Those scenarios, described in the medical community as “low volume, high risk,” are
precisely where Jackie excels. From postpartum hemorrhage to shoulder dystocia, Jackie
is designed to simulate the kinds of complications that, while infrequent, require
immediate and expert intervention.
Jackie isn’t just a mannequin; she’s a technological marvel. Built for realism and ease of
use, she enables staff to practice life-saving techniques in a controlled and repeatable
environment. Using her, teams can simulate everything from routine deliveries to critical
emergencies.
One standout feature of Jackie is her built-in system for simulating postpartum
hemorrhages, a leading cause of maternal death globally. Unlike older models, Jackie’s
design makes these simulations clean, efficient, and highly realistic.
“Before, postpartum hemorrhage simulations were very messy and hard to clean up
quickly between sessions. This one has a clean bleed pad encased in plastic, so it doesn’t
get everywhere. We can change it out in 10 minutes versus 30–40 minutes,” Dr. Sanchez
explained. That means training more staff in a single day, giving more people the
opportunity to learn and improve.
But Jackie doesn’t stop there. Her sensors provide real-time feedback to staff, allowing
them to fine-tune their techniques. For example, during postpartum hemorrhage training,
Jackie registers whether a nurse is properly massaging the fundus to stop bleeding.
Derek Sanchez, Simulation Coordinator for Midland Health, notes, “The mannequin
senses the massage and shows a meter for how well they’re doing. When it reaches the
perfect amount, it firms up. It even shows on the software if the massage is on target.”
Jackie’s lifelike delivery features have also wowed the team.
She can simulate the baby’s head emerging during shoulder dystocia, a low volume, high-risk complication,
“where the baby gets stuck because of their shoulders,” with realistic
“turtling," said Dr. Sanchez
“Other mannequins didn’t do a good job of showing what it looked like for the baby to
"turtle," where the head comes out and then gets somewhat sucked back in. This one does
it perfectly," said Dr. Sanchez.
Jackie allows nurses to practice delivering babies in various positions as well as inserting
catheters, monitoring blood pressure, and listening for breath sounds. Whether it’s your
first day in maternity care or your twentieth year, the experience with Jackie equips you in
ways textbooks never could.
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Tackling Maternal Health Disparities
The birthing simulator model chosen by Midland Health features darker skin tones, a
deliberate decision tied to addressing racial disparities in maternal health. Black women in
the United States face significantly higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth, nearly
three times the maternal mortality rate of white women, according to the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC). Midland Health selected this specific mannequin to help its staff
better understand and prepare for complications more likely to affect Black mothers.
Dr. Sanchez underscored the significance of this choice. Representation matters. We
chose this mannequin to advance “diversity, equity, and inclusion”, ensuring our training
reflects the diverse community we serve.
By selecting a birthing simulator that reflects diverse patient experiences, Midland Health
is fostering cultural competence among its healthcare providers. This decision highlights
the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by patients from different
backgrounds, enabling staff to provide care that is not only medically sound but also
empathetic and informed.
Preparing for the Unexpected
With Jackie’s arrival, Midland Health’s training capabilities have expanded in ways that
directly contribute to patient safety. Evidence suggests that simulation-based training has
the power to reduce errors, improve communication, and enhance outcomes.
Delivery complications are rare. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, the delivery is going to go
smoothly. But our staff needs to be prepared for that 1% when things don’t go the right
way. That’s what Jackie does. She allows us to give every nurse the opportunity to
experience these complications,” said Derek Sanchez.
Tragically, too many women lose their lives due to complications arising during pregnancy
and childbirth, many of which are preventable with proper care and timely intervention.
Severe bleeding, infections, high blood pressure conditions like pre-eclampsia, and
delivery complications account for around 75% of maternal deaths, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO). Yet, the solutions to prevent these tragedies are well within
our grasp.
Access to skilled healthcare professionals before, during, and after delivery can make a
life-saving difference, ensuring that women receive the care they need when it matters
most. With innovations like Jackie, Midland Health is actively equipping its teams to
recognize and respond to these critical scenarios, reinforcing the link between high-quality
training and better maternal outcomes.
“Everything we do with Jackie is about decreasing mortality and increasing patient safety. It
is about getting comfortable with new people and skills and providing experience for low volume, high-risk situations,” Dr. Sanchez said.
These advances in simulation-based training are part of a wider transformation happening
across the country in response to the urgent need for better maternal health outcomes.
Casey Weems, Labor & Delivery/Mother Baby Education Coordinator at the Center for
Advancing Professional Excellence, describes the powerful impact of national efforts in
this space:
“Through the AIM Initiative, a groundbreaking national effort launched in 2014, we are
witnessing healthcare professionals, systems, and communities unite to transform
maternal health outcomes. By implementing evidence-based safety bundles in hospitals
and birthing facilities, we’re reducing preventable maternal deaths and complications,
fulfilling our promise to provide every mother with safe, respectful, and high-quality care.
One of the most exciting advancements is the introduction of SIM Mom, our high-fidelity
maternal simulator, which empowers teams to practice real-life obstetric emergencies like
postpartum hemorrhage and preeclampsia in a safe, controlled environment.
This hands-on training sharpens clinical skills, strengthens team communication, and builds the
confidence our caregivers need to respond effectively when every second counts.
Together, these efforts form a powerful narrative of progress and resilience, moving us
closer to a future where maternal care truly reaches new heights of excellence.”
Jackie’s impact will soon extend beyond the training rooms. Midland Health’s upcoming
Simulation Center, set to open in December, will feature a Labor & Delivery suite where
staff can practice in an environment mirroring real hospital conditions.
Building a Legacy of Care
Jackie’s story is just beginning, but her presence is already making a difference. For the
nurses and doctors at Midland Health, every practice session represents a step toward
saving lives. For the Pink Ladies and community members who funded her, Jackie is a
source of pride and inspiration.
With Jackie’s help, Midland Health is poised to set a new standard in maternal care, being
the only organization or facility with a Jackie (MamaAnne) in the Permian Basin. And just as
every mother deserves a safe delivery, every nurse deserves the training needed to ensure
it. Thanks to innovation, dedication, and a community that cares, Midland Health is leading
the way.