Our Surgical Skills Lab is a 2,400 square foot simulated operating room environment with staging and instrument processing areas. It can accommodate six whole body stations, eight arthroscopy or endoscopy stations and sawbones training.
The lab opened in 2006 and was designed to meet the need for an innovative training facility that accommodates surgical procedure training and research and development for surgeons, physicians, and health care professionals. It’s housed within TRIA Orthopedic Center in Bloomington – just minutes away from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
The Surgical Skills Lab is fully equipped to host your event and open to all surgical specialties. We’re available seven days a week and can be reserved for any time of day. We also provide complete cadaveric tissue sourcing, preparation, storage, and meeting room space.
We recognize and thank the donors who have provided educational opportunities through whole body donation to an accredited anatomical donation program in accordance with the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2021.
See below for the lab availability calendar. For more information about conferencing, equipment, lab support staff and a virtual tour, visit our facilities and amenities page.
Lab availability
The Surgical Skills Lab is fully equipped to host your event and open to all surgical specialties. It’s available seven days a week and can be reserved for any time of day.
See below for the lab availability calendar.
A completed lab request form is required to reserve/book the TRIA Surgical Skills Lab.
Contact us
Phone: 952-806-5603 | Fax: 952-883-9720 | Email our lab coordinator
As a courtesy, TRIA may be able to hold requested lab dates for a maximum of 30 days without a completed Lab Request Form. In this case, after 30 days, the client will be notified of potential release and asked to complete the lab request form within 24 hours of notification to retain held date(s).
Educational labs
TRIA Fellowship
Our fellows experience 6-10 surgical training labs during their fellowship year, led by one of our faculty. We are one of the few facilities in the Midwest to offer in-house training such as this.
University of Minnesota Orthopaedic Surgery Resident
Our curriculum for the surgical residents is tailored to their academic year. TRIA sports medicine physicians and a current fellow host eight annual Surgical Skills Lab events for the second, third, fourth and fifth year residents, allowing hands-on training focusing on shoulder, elbow and knee arthroscopy. These training events are also vendor supported with the most current surgical repair techniques, products and instrumentation. This program enables our residents to increase their confidence and surgical autonomy.
Medical students
You are welcome to attend when there is a resident lab or fellows lab while on rotation at TRIA. Please connect with the lab coordinator for further details.
Featured TED Talk
Augmented reality in surgical care is a hot topic. Dr. Marc Tompkins has been a pioneer in the use of augmented reality in orthopedic surgery. Working with the technology for over four years has provided a way to connect remotely with other doctors, expanding the reach of physicians to improve patient care around the world. Augmented reality has also been a monumental tool in arthroscopic education for the residents in the University of Minnesota Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. You can view the talk here.
