Celebrating 35 Years of VATA
We chatted with VATA’s President, Andrew Call, about celebrating 35 years of VATA!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since taking the reins at VATA?
I think knowing that I don’t have the answers to everything. It’s ok to ask for help and it’s ok to say you don’t know. We’re fortunate to have an experienced team that’s been here a long time and they know what they’re doing. If there’s something I’m not 100% sure on, I can ask for help.
If you had to pick a favorite product, which would you choose?
Chester Chest—it’s our first product and the foundation of the business. We’ve been selling it for so many years. The product has generally stayed the same with minor updates and it lasts a really long time. People have had the same Chester for 25+ years. Hearing about a product that people are actively using for many years is really rewarding.
What’s next for VATA?
Coming out of Covid, there’s been a lot of uncertainty but we are a stable business. There is a tremendous need for these products and I think as we look ahead, we’ll be looking to build families of products instead of coming out stand alone products.
What excites you about the future?
The amount of opportunity. Simulation is growing and there is always room for improvement. The new technology that has come out changes the way things are done, what is possible, and creates a lot of opportunity for our industry.
A Brief Look Back: VATA’s History
1986
Development of Chester Chest Began (on the kitchen table!)
1987
Chester Chest was Released
Attended First Trade Show—INS in Nashville
1991
Moved Operations to Oregon City
1994
Nita Newborn
2003
Seymour
2005
Andrew Call Joins the VATA Team
2007
Relocated HQ to Canby
Seymour II
2008
Stan Stage 4 Pressure Injury Model
Wilma Wound Foot
2012
‘Vinnie’ Venous Insufficiency Leg
Annie Arterial Insufficiency Leg Model
2014
Vascular Access Ultrasound Model
2015
Bonnie Bone Marrow
2017
Suture Skills Trainer
2018
Tom and Kathy Call Retire,
Andrew Call Takes Over Presidency
2020
Wound Boards Models
Basic IO Trainer
2021
Reid Hatch, Production Supervisor, hits 30 years at VATA
Chester Chest—The Product That Started It All
This year marks 35 years of Chester Chest! VATA’s Chester Chest has been an industry standard in the teaching of central line care since VATA’s inception in 1987.
Available in both light and dark pigments, Chester Chest enables physicians, nurses, and patients to develop competence with the most common types of vascular access devices.
With the ability to practice infusion, withdrawal, securement, and dressings of multiple vascular access lines, this realistic model makes learning to palpate and access implanted ports simple and straightforward.
VATA’s Chester Chest 2400 model has everything needed for training and a quick and easy set up. Chester Chest can be used to simulate accessing normal, tipping, wandering, or deeply placed IVAD placements in the left chest area. Successful access is confirmed by a “blood” return and fluid can be infused and “blood” withdrawn from all the lines.
One of Chester Chest’s best qualities is that it lasts! VATA also offers a refurbishing service at about half the price of the current model. Clients can send in their older Chester models and have them cleaned, updated, and refurbished.
Chester Chest Refurb Winner
Congrats to our Chester Chest Refurb winner, Kathy, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Simulation Director at Park University.
We loved Kathy’s creative entry:
“This 'old' Park Pirate is in need of refurbishment. We gave him a 'shave and a haircut for 2 bits,' but he won't tell us how old he really is. And all of his tubing doesn't flow well from all of the hard life and rum running at sea. Please help us give him a second chance at life in our Simulation Lab!”
Ready to sail the stormy seas with a newly refurbished Chester!
"This Park Pirate is now better than new! He is full of vim, vigor, vitality, and ready to face all of the new nursing students this fall to steer them on a steady course of central line, midline, intravenous, and port access care! He vows to stay away for rum and pirate living and keep those veins open for all future Park Pirate Nursing students!"
