Now Regular Office Hours at the Virtual Laboratory Training and Career Center (VLTCC)
The first week of February was an exciting week at the Virtual Laboratory Training and Career Center (VLTCC)! As the snow was falling in Maryland, I was preparing for my first day of virtual office hours. I am pleased to announce that Monday, February 1, 2021 was the first day for regular office hours in my 3D virtual laboratory in Kitely. This was indeed an exciting “What’s Next” for my vision to integrate real (physical) life into 3D immersive virtual worlds. Although I have been interacting within the 3D immersive virtual worlds community since 2008, the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing fueled the decision to establish regular virtual office and lab hours with the in-world assistance of my 3D avatar, “Sally Cherry”. Now colleagues, friends, and anyone interested in 3D immersive virtual worlds can visit for informal chats; technical discussions; virtual meet-ups; training sessions; and to learn more about my vision, "Real to Virtual; Virtual to Real". Snow, ice and physical distancing are indeed Not issues in the 3D virtual world community.

My first day of regular office hours was an information-sharing and “coaching” experience. I was delighted that Ilan Tochner, CEO and Co-Founder of Kitely stopped at VLTCC to discuss some technical issues. The technical information that he provided will definitely enhance the in-world experience of an VLTCC visitor. Thus, helping me to keep the VLTC Project moving forward. Speaking of visitors, I am "over the moon" thrilled that a real life public health colleague and friend, Dr. Jasmine Ward, CEO and Founder of Black Ladies in Public Health (BLiPH) was one of my first visitors. Dr. Ward logged in for the very first time to start her 3D virtual experience. It was a delight to introduce and welcome Dr. Ward to the innovative community of Kitely. Upon her “smooth” arrival, the Kitely Community Center was her first stop to get acquainted with navigating and interacting within the 3D immersive virtual world community.

The next stop was my most recent 3D immersive virtual building project which highlights real life “United Memories (UM)”, a digital COVID-19 memorial. Dr. Jasmine Ward conceived the idea to create and share a digital memorial of reverence dedicated to the Black community experiencing and looking back on the COVID19 pandemic. She recognized the urgent need for an innovative way to gather, grieve, and honor these Black lives lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. You are invited to learn more about my 3D immersive virtual world building project in the blog post and photo album entitled “3D Immersive Virtual Reflections of a Digital COVID-19 Memorial… The Real to Virtual; Virtual to Real integration of "United Memories".

The excitement did not stop there! The first week of virtual office (and lab) hours started the real life and in-world planning for the launch of monthly Virtual Health Meet-Ups and Medical Laboratory Professional Week 2021 at VLTCC. While it goes without saying that my “first week of regular office hours was a learning, skill building, and planning experience, I am going to say it anyway… It was a very “good” week at the 3D Virtual Laboratory Training and Career Center (VLTCC)

VLTCC Office Hours
Monday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm SLT
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm SLT
Thursday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm SLT
Please note: There is a consultation charge for training and coaching sessions.

Virtual Health Coalition (VHC) Monthly Meet-Ups: 2nd Wednesdays: 10:30 am - 2:00 pm SLT
The VHC Monthly Meet-Ups offer an opportunity to discuss relevant uses of 3D immersive virtual worlds in medical laboratory science, public health, healthcare, and science; to promote public health awareness; to share “lessons learned” in virtual health and medical education; and to network with colleagues and interested parties. If you have any questions or would like to present your virtual health, science or related project, contact Sally Cherry or email Real2Virtual2Real@gmail.com. Please note: Nonprofits and VHC Charter Members: No charge to present. There is a registration fee for consultants and For-Profit (Business) organizations. Requests to present at VHC Meet-Ups must be received at least two (2) weeks in advance unless otherwise noted.

You are invited to visit the Virtual Laboratory Training and Career Center (VLTCC) @ Kitely to learn more about my "Real to Virtual; Virtual to Real" integration projects, contact Sally Cherry or email real2virtual2real@gmail.com. Website: https://real2virtual2real.com