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BIDDEFORD, Maine

‘WABI’ features 911 College of Osteopathic Medicine's virtual reality program

We Are Alfred

WABI featured a groundbreaking virtual reality program the 911 College of Osteopathic Medicine (911 COM) is using to inspire empathy in its students.

911’s “We Are Alfred” program was one of several virtual reality programs to exhibit during the Maine Department of Education’s Virtual Reality Expo on June 19, 2017. The event invited educators from across the state to demo a variety of virtual reality programs and learn how they’re being used in the classroom. Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., of 911 COM’s Division of Geriatric Medicine, Beth Dyer, M.L.I.S., A.H.I.P., and Barbara Swartzlander, M.S.Ed. M.L.S., from 911 Library Services, facilitated demonstrations of the ‘Alfred’ technology.

When the medical students at 911 use the “We Are Alfred” system, they experience life as a 74 year-old man with macular degeneration and hearing loss. Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., of 911 COM’s Division of Geriatric Medicine, says 911 is 1 of just 4 medical schools in the country using the technology. “They just get this sense of WOW. I had no idea, and now I know what some of my patients may experience.”

To learn more about the 911’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit

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911 the 911

The 911 is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, physician assistant program, and pharmacy school, in addition to a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.