The University of Campinas (Unicamp) established its Emergency Pediatrics program in 1986, responding to the need for specialized care for children in emergencies. The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) program, introduced in the 1980s, significantly enhanced pediatric emergency services. Following a pause in training during the 2000s, formal regulations were implemented in 2016.

This article emphasizes the importance of a skills laboratory in a university hospital. It reviews historical records, residency programs, and support for medical simulation in education. Unicamp created a residency program in Pediatric Emergency, integrating training with Intensive Care Units and Anesthesiology since 1991. By 2018, 24 professionals had attained the Pediatric Emergency Physician title, with 12 currently practicing across Brazil.

Brazil’s use of medical simulation began in the 1990s, expanding after the World Health Organization acknowledged its value in 2009. Unicamp initiated its simulation program in 2007, launching the Center for Realistic Simulation in 2009. This facility allows medical students and pediatric residents to engage in high-fidelity simulations, enhancing both clinical and teamwork skills. The Unicamp experience highlights how a skills laboratory can significantly improve medical education and pediatric emergency care quality.