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BIDDEFORD, Maine

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

We Are Alfred

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

ֱ’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 ֱ 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 ֱ Library Services, facilitated demonstrations of the ‘Alfred’ technology.

When the medical students at ֱ 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 ֱ COM’s Division of Geriatric Medicine, says ֱ 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 ֱ’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit

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About the ֱ

The ֱ 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. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.