Super Sci-Tech Festival shows off special patient Super Bowl weekend

PHOENIX — The University of Arizona’s College of Medicine is kicking off its yearlong Sci-Tech Festival on Saturday, just two blocks away from Super Bowl Central.

Sure, you might see dozens of celebrities while walking downtown, but none of them are like Suzie, the life-like animatronic patient on the College of Medicine’s fourth floor.

“She’s what we call a high fidelity computerized mannequinn,” said Jim Rinehart, manager of the college’s simulation center.

Rinehart is normally seated behind a two-way mirror controlling Suzie’s vitals as medical students treat her.

“She’ll have mini seizures, her pupils will dilate, blood pressures, heart rate, respirations, pulses, she has all of those,” he said.

She reminds you of the Great Moments with Abe Lincoln exhibit at Disneyland, but Suzie is able to talk directly to you.

“That hurts,” she complained to Allison Otu, the college’s spokeswoman, as Otu touched Suzie’s head.

“Our goal is to inspire the next generation of researchers, scientists, clinicians, doctors and nurses,” Otu said.

You won’t find any official pigskin at the Connect 2 Stem event, but Otu did say visitors will have a chance to check out Suzie, touch a synthetic cadaver and “see some of the latest technology that medical students are using.”

With 50 exhibits, you’re bound to see something very cool, even if you’re not necessarily interested in medicine, Rinehart said.

Before being put on display for the event, Suzie called out, “I can’t catch my breath.”

If it doesn’t leave you breathless, Otu guaranteed the kids will have fun.

“And, that’s the point of this event.”

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