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.