Delta Dental Gift Helps FHU Nursing Students Prepare for Bedside Care

The newest addition to Freed-Hardeman University’s nursing skills lab sits at the head of a hospital bed, a gift from Delta Dental of Tennessee. It’s a headwall simulator, and it gives students a place to work with air and suction controls before they encounter them in a patient’s room.
The nursing department had already purchased three headwalls for the lab, where patient simulators in hospital beds help recreate a clinical setting. For junior nursing major Emma Hartsfield, the equipment “gives us a real background on how things work in the real world.”

Delta Dental representatives and FHU faculty attended the demonstration of the new headwall simulator.

Shelby Biggs, an adjunct clinical instructor in FHU’s nursing department, made the connection that led to the gift. Biggs first asked Delta Dental to support a mission trip to Ghana. When the company expressed interest in supporting a local effort, the conversation turned to purchasing a headwall for the lab. Delta Dental funded the purchase through its “60 Moments of Surprise Smiles” campaign, which marked the company’s 60th anniversary.
For junior nursing major Alyssa Lyons, learning to care for patients is personal. When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Lyons helped clean her mother’s port. Having a role in her care helped Lyons feel less frightened and inspired her to help others facing difficult circumstances.

Professor of Nursing Chris White demonstrates how the headwall simulates real world function FHU's nursing skills lab.

Lyons is considering a career in oncology or pediatric nursing. She described the new headwall as “really cool” and appreciates the chance to learn how bedside equipment works before she needs to use it with a patient.
“Every time students practice with this equipment, they become a little more comfortable using it,” said Chris White, chair of FHU’s nursing department. “We’re grateful to Delta Dental for helping us give students that experience, and we’d welcome the chance to work together again as we equip the two remaining stations.”

About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of Tennessee is the state’s largest independent dental benefits carrier with 1.8 million lives covered. As part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, Delta Dental of Tennessee members have access to the largest dental network in the nation, with more than 151,000 providers serving more than 411,958 locations. With the simple mission of ensuring healthy smiles, Delta Dental of Tennessee works hard to help members of the communities it serves. Along with its corporate foundation, Smile180, Delta Dental of Tennessee donated more than $5.0 million in funding and in-kind services to over 110 organizations in 2025.

The headwall simulator is a donation through Delta Dental's “60 Moments of Surprise Smiles” campaign, which marked the company’s 60th anniversary.