Elizabeth Horsley's Credits the MSMS as a Career Changing Oppurtunity

With a background as an operating room nurse, Elizabeth Horsley, RN, MS ’16 began a teaching career with a focus in simulation.  After working in the simulation field for nearly ten years, Horsley was competent in her work but always felt pieces were missing in her knowledge base.  She then stumbled upon an ad for Drexel University’s MS in Medical & Healthcare Simulation (MSMS), at first assuming it would not be possible for her to enroll until she realized the majority of the program in online.  With only a minimal amount of travel required, she inquired for more information. Little did she know that ad would lead to a career-changing opportunity in simulation. 

The MSMS program is primarily online but does have three one-week sessions that are in person in Philadelphia, PA.  Horsley, like many of the students in the first cohort, often talk about the end of their first practicum week.  A Friday at 5 pm and no one was getting up to leave to go home, all of the students wanted to stay so they could continue learning even more.  Horsley stated that those three weeks were among some of the best moments of her life. 

After graduating the MSMS program, Horsley accepted a position as the Director of Simulation at the Brooklyn Hospital Center working primarily with medical residents. The interprofessional setting of the program allowed Horsley to grow out of her nursing career to become a leader in simulation.  “Drexel gave me the tools and skills I need for my career; I constantly refer to references and resources from the program.  The program led me to a job where I am doing the most meaningful work of my career” said Horsley.

Crediting the faculty to be the highlight of the program, Horsley stated that having a very prolific simulation researcher and author review her school work helped push her to the next level of healthcare education.  “To be taught be the absolute gurus in the field was overwhelming in the best way.  I learned so much, and continue to follow the work of the faculty” said Horsley. 

Krystle Campbell, BS, MS - Class of 2017

Krystal Campbell recognized a passion for clinical simulation early in her career.  She soon saw value for a formalized education in the field and decided to enroll in the MSMS program. “Drexel was the first choice due to its extensive coverage of the science through many different topics, including simulation administration and debriefing. Furthermore, I was extremely impressed by the number of national simulation experts that were professors,” said Campbell.

Currently, Campbell works for the University of Wisconsin Clinical Simulation Program, a joint venture between UW Health and UW School of Medicine and Public Health. She began as the administrative assistant, was promoted to coordinator, then to the educator, and now I currently hold the role of manager. According to Campbell, her rapid assentation was made possible in many ways by the solid foundation Drexel’s MSMS program provided her; incorporating the content topics of simulation facilitation, curriculum development, debriefing, assessment, administration, and leadership.  This solid foundation offers expertise and tools to grow as a leader in the field of simulation and contribute to the advancement of the science through leadership, advocacy, research, and development.

For Campbell, the faculty was one of the best aspects of the program.  “They’re expertise, passion, and mentorship is something I’ll cherish throughout my life.  During my time with the program, they were beyond willing to going the extra mile to support my cohorts and myself.  Since graduation, this devotion to the students has not lapsed; I have reached out to them, and they have continued to share their expertise and mentorship with me, without reserve.  I am greatly indebted to them for this continued devotion to me,” said Campbell.

While her first on-campus experience was a little anxiety provoking, the program went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcomed and prepared.  Within the first few days on campus, she knew she had found a group of lifelong mentors, friends, and supporters.   Campbell felt that fully connecting with everyone online was hard, but the in-person week quickly broke down the barrier, and from that point forward she couldn't wait to come back and that the relationships made were one of the best attributes of the program.  

When asked if she would recommend the program Campbell said "I have already recommended the program to many others at my institution and beyond.  Our simulation educator is currently enrolled in the program, with expected graduation in 2019.  I believe in the power of simulation to transform patient care through more effective education, quality assurance,  better teamwork, and more effective care systems. To me, this means growing the science of simulation in the areas of administration, engineering, education, and assessment as this program does."

Learn more about Drexel's MSMS 

Matthew Charnetski, BS, EMT-P, MS – Class of 2016

Matthew Charnetski, BS, EMT-P, MS is a 2016 graduate of Drexel University’s MS in Medical & Healthcare Simulation Program (MSMS).  Currently, he is the Director of Simulation Learning at New York Institute of Technology at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  After graduating the program, he took a position as faculty and Director of Medical Simulation at Nazarbayev University in Astana Kazakhstan.  Both were opportunities that he couldn’t have even imagined before going through Drexel’s MSMS program.

After years of working as a paramedic and in information technology, Charnetski fell into a position as a Simulation Specialist.  Simulation sparked a new career path for him, and he knew he would need to further his education if you wished to advance someday.  That is when he found Drexel University College of Medicine’s MS in Simulation program.

The interprofessional faculty and students made Drexel stand out compared to other healthcare education options.  Additionally, the structure of the program allowed him to work while in school, and the classes were directly applicable to his current potion so that he could apply what he learned instantly.  Charnetski also greatly benefited from the professional relationships he developed with the faculty and fellow students.  "Their mentorship allowed me to grasp the various elements and challenges of simulation including difficult conversations, curriculum design, adult learning, and simulation methodologies," said Charnetski.

Charnetski greatly benefitted from the in-person practicum sessions.  The weeks amassed an international, interprofessional, and high performing group of individuals that represent a majority of the who’s who of simulation.  Every on-campus class left him with a renewed vigor to keep pressing forward, establishing and implementing best practices in his career.

Overall, Charnetski said that “the program has meant the world to me.  The faculty, the staff, my co-students; they have all been part of some of the most meaningful experiences in my life.”

For anyone interested in Drexel’s MS in Simulation program, Charnetski said he would, without hesitation, recommend the program to prospective students.  “This program was one of the best educational experiences of my life.  The growth that this program engendered in me professionally, personally, and clinically cannot be underestimated.  The faculty were both supportive and challenging helping me to achieve, and they have continued to be mentors and colleagues as I advance in my career," said Charnetski.

Learn more about Drexel's MSMS

Roberta L. Hales Appointed Secretary of the International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS) Executive Committee and Board Directors

Join us in congratulating Roberta L. Hales, MHA, RRT-NPS, RN, who was appointed Secretary of the International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS) Executive Committee and Board Directors.  Members of IPSS will be introduced to the new members of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors at the Members Assembly, IPSSW 2018 Amsterdam, scheduled for 15 May, 16:45 - 17:45 pm.

Hales is one of the key faculty members of Drexel University’s MS in Medical & Healthcare Simulation Program, she leads the Simulation Curriculum Design course and the Debriefing in Simulation course. She is a simulation educator at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with the Center for Simulation, Advanced Education, and Innovation, where she is involved in program development, scenario design, and simulation facilitator training. 

She earned a BS in respiratory therapy from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an AAS in nursing from Excelsior College, and a Master of Health Administration with concentration in training and organizational development from St. Joseph's University. She is an active member of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the International Pediatric Simulation Society. Ms. Hales has lectured on pediatric simulation-based education at the local, state, national and international level.

Drexel's MSMS Program Welcomes John R. (Jack) Boulet, PhD

This Spring John R. (Jack) Boulet, PhD, will be joining the Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation program faculty at Drexel University College of Medicine.   Jack will lead our course on the  Principles of Assessment.

Boulet is vice president, research and data resources, for both the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). Dr. Boulet holds a BSc in mathematics from the University of Western Ontario and both an MA and PhD in education, specializing in measurement and evaluation, from the University of Ottawa.  He is a senior scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, an adjunct Professor of medicine at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, and a fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Over the past 20 years, Dr. Boulet has worked on the development of performance-based credentialing assessments in medicine. He has published extensively in the field of medical education, focusing specifically on measurement issues pertaining to performance-based assessments, including objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and various mannequin-based evaluation methodologies. In his role with FAIMER, he has also investigated workforce issues, concentrating on the characteristics of international medical education programs, the international migration of health care workers, the contribution of international medical graduates (IMGs) to the labor force in the United States, and the quality of care provided by IMGs. Dr. Boulet currently serves on the editorial boards for Advances in Health Sciences Education: Theory and Practice, Education for Health, and Simulation in Healthcare.  He is a deputy editor for Medical Education.

Elizabeth Horsley, worked in simulation for nearly a decade, but credits the Drexel MSMS for helping her become a leader in simulation.

Elizabeth Horsley, the 2015 SIM Citizenship Award at SimOne

Simulation is forever growing, early on many healthcare educators started working in simulation with little knowledge of the trade.  Elizabeth Horsley, a 2016 graduate of Drexel’s Master of Science in Medical & Healthcare Simulation program started her career in simulation in 2005, when the Ontario government provided her university with significant funding to start a simulation program. While simulation was new to her, Horsley stepped up to the role of coordinating the new program.

After working in simulation for nearly a decade Horsley was confident in her role but felt that simulation was such a complex puzzle that she needed to learn more to become truly competent in simulation. One day she stumbled upon an ad for the MSMS and instantly called for more information. Without much planning or thought she started the program in August of 2014, and it became the greatest and most influential experience of her professional and educational careers.

She benefited from the well rounded education she received, the program focuses on simulation, but also covered instructional design, curriculum development, organizational theories, research, assessment, patient safety and of course debriefing. “It was incredible to be taught by people whose work she read and respected including Adam Cheng, Bill McGaghie and Jeff Barsuk” said Horsley.

After graduating from the program Horsley accepted a position as the Director of the Simulation Lab at The Brooklyn Hospital Center.  This was a big move her, she not only moved to another country but also would be starting a simulation center at the hospital. She discovered the position through MSMS program director, Sharon Griswold, MD who was asked if any alumni from the program would be interested in the job opening. 

“Brooklyn Hospital is a community hospital, in an old facility but with an amazing vibe and enthusiasm for simulation. Everyone from medicine, nursing, respiratory, patient safety, and quality improvement want to learn more about simulation and debriefing,” said Horsley. 

For her the knowledge of simulation, and confidence to work across healthcare disciplines in simulation has been the most beneficial skills she gained from the MSMS.  Certainly, moving to another country to start a simulation program would not have been possible without a Drexel MSMS degree.

She recalled one of her favorite memories of the MSMS program was when the first practicum week ended. “It was Friday at 5pm and no one wanted to leave, I have never had that feeling at a work-related or educational event” said Horsley.

Alum Matt Charnetski: Drexel's MSMS put my Simulation Career into Turbo Mode

When Matthew Charnetski first accepted a position as a simulation specialist he was only peripherally aware of the career field. Since completing the Drexel University Master of Science in Medical & Healthcare Simulation (MSMS) he has gone on to establish a simulation center in Kazakhstan and is now the Director of Simulation Learning and a Clinical Instructor at New York Institute of Technology at Arkansas State.

Charnetski is not shy to taking a chance on a new career path, after he received a bachelors degree in biology from Grinnell College he jumped on an opportunity to go to Antarctica with information technology science support specialists as part of a search and rescue team.

After seven years he returned home, and set his sights on becoming a paramedic.  While in school he worked as an EMT and in electronic medical records before becoming critical care paramedic. His simulation career started when he found a position at Des Moines University that married his background in IT and patient care. However, it was not until he enrolled in the Drexel’s MSMS program that his passion for sim truly began.

Charnetski, Class of 2016, says that the MSMS put his simulation career in turbo mode, giving him the tools needed to meaningfully pursue a simulation career. The in-person practicum weeks gave him a renewed excitement and vigor for implementing high quality, rigorous, relevant simulations. 

He was highly impressed by the faculty, describing them as some of the most well-known and respected people in simulation.  They made an enormous impact in his education and practice while helping him become more involved in the simulation community. He suggest that any new students be fearless with the faculty and openly ask them questions; they are supportive both academically and professionally.