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.

MSMS Faculty AnneMarie Monachino has been granted a CHSE-A

MSMS Faculty AnneMarie Monachino has been granted a CHSE-A role.  The Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced (CHSE-A) certification is a portfolio-based certification for leaders in healthcare simulation.  This certification distinguishes those who have proven themselves to be advanced in their practice in healthcare simulation, and serve as mentors and examples to others in the field.

AnneMarie Monachino, MSN, RN, CPN, CHSE-A is a clinical 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 also functions as an education nurse specialist in the Department of Nursing Education.

She earned a BS in biology from Chestnut Hill College, an ADN from Community College of Philadelphia, certification as a pediatric nurse (CPN) in 1996, and a MSN with an emphasis on emergency care from Widener University in 2009. She is an active member of the Society of Pediatric Nurses, the Association for Nursing Professional Development and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Ms. Monachino has lectured at the local, state, national and international level on pediatric code readiness, mock code development and the use of simulation to improve patient outcomes.

Consistent with its mission, SSH developed the certification process for educators focused on healthcare simulation. This program has been developed over a number of years with the input of many individuals representing a wide variety of backgrounds and experience in healthcare simulation. 

MSMS Students and Program Director Help Coach Sim Team to Victory.

New Orleans - Drexel University emergency medicine residents won the SimWars National Championship at the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine in New Orleans, LA on Friday.    

Picture left to right Alex Vazzano, PGY2 year; Ben Liss, PGY3; Sara Mistal PGY2; Russell Goldstein PGY3.

The team of second and third year emergency medicine residents included Ben Liss, Russell Goldstein, Sara Misthal, and Alex Vazzano.  They competed on stage against six other talented emergency medicine residency teams from across the country. The victory is a testament to the hard work of the residents and also the quality of training they receive every day at clinical sites and in the simulation lab. 

Andy Godwin, Chair of University of Florida, Jacksonville and a co-creator of SimWars, said "Drexel's residents' management of the simulated mass casualty case was the best run MCI Simulation he's ever seen".

The team was coached by Drexel University EM faculty members: Jessica Parsons, EM Associate Residency Director and Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation (MSMS) student; Srikala Ponnuru, Emergency Medicine Interim Program Director and Simulation Fellowship Director; Sharon Griswold, Director of the MSMS program; and Amanda Crichlow, MSMS Student and Drexel Medical Simulation Fellow.

Drexel will look to defend their national championship this October at the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Assembly in Las Vegas.

IMSH 6th Annual Journal Club

Dr. Sharon Griswold, Director of the Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation program at Drexel University, was honored to host the 6th Annual Simulation Journal club at the 2016 IMSH meeting in San Diego.


The team of six faculty reviewed more than 2000 articles published from 2014 and 2015 to select the top ten articles with high impact and patient outcomes. Authors were invited to share their special insight into their simulation research at the journal club presentation.
The team would like to offer a special thanks to Gary Childs, MLS of the Drexel University Library team who has contributed his talents to the article search each year.

From left to right, Drs. Andy Musitz, Heidi Baer, Amanda Crichlow, Sharon Griswold, Tiffany Moadel and Ambrose Wong.  Dr. Amanda Crichlow is also a first year student in the Drexel University Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation program.

Drs. Sullivan, Gordon and Hunt were among the Simmy 2016 Award Winners.

Here is a full list of the selected 2016 Simulation Journal Club articles:

Braun, L. S., T.; Smith, K.; Hsu, A.; Behrens, M.; Chan, D.; Hutchinson, J.; Lu, D.; Singh, R.; Reyes, J.; Lopreiato, J. (2015). Retention of pediatric resuscitation performance after a simulation-based mastery learning session: a multicenter randomized trial. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 16(2), 131-138. 

Crofts, J., Lenguerrand, E., Bentham, G., Tawfik, S., Claireaux, H., Odd, D., . . . Draycott, T. (2015). Prevention of brachial plexus injury-12 years of shoulder dystocia training: an interrupted time-series study. BJOG.

Faulkner, A. R. B., A. C.; Bradley, Y. C.; Hudson, K. B.; Heidel, R. E.; Pasciak, A. S. (2015). Simulation-Based Educational Curriculum for Fluoroscopically Guided Lumbar Puncture Improves Operator Confidence and Reduces Patient Dose. Academic Radiology, 22(5), 668-673.

Hoskote, S. S. K., H.; Lanoix, R.; Rose, K.; Aqeel, A.; Clark, M.; Chalfin, D.; Shapiro, J.; Han, Q. (2015). Simulation-based training for emergency medicine residents in sterile technique during central venous catheterization: impact on performance, policy, and outcomes. Academic Emergency Medicine, 22(1), 81-87. 

Kessler, D. P., M.; Chang, T. P.; Fein, D. M.; Grossman, D.; Mehta, R.; White, M.; Jang, J.; Whitfill, T.; Auerbach, M.; Inspire Lp investigators. (2015). Impact of Just-in-Time and Just-in-Place Simulation on Intern Success With Infant Lumbar Puncture. Pediatrics, 135(5), e1237-1246. 

Peltan, I. D. S., T.; Gordon, J. A.; Currier, P. F. (2015). Simulation Improves Procedural Protocol Adherence During Central Venous Catheter Placement A Randomized Controlled Trial. Simulation in Healthcare-Journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, 10(5), 270-276.

Sarfati, L. R., F.; Vantard, N.; Schwiertz, V.; Gauthier, N.; He, S.; Kiouris, E.; Gourc-Berthod, C.; Guédat, M. G.; Alloux, C.; Gustin, M. P.; You, B.; Trillet-Lenoir, V.; Freyer, G.; Rioufol, C. (2015). SIMMEON-Prep study: SIMulation of Medication Errors in ONcology: prevention of antineoplastic preparation errors. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 40(1), 55-62 58p.

Sullivan, N. J. D.-A., J.; Twilley, M.; Smith, S. P.; Aksamit, D.; Boone-Guercio, P.; Jeffries, P. R.; Hunt, E. A. (2015). Simulation exercise to improve retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation priorities for in-hospital cardiac arrests: A randomized controlled trial. Resuscitation, 86, 6-13. oi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.10.021

Zigmont, J. J., Wade, A., Edwards, T., Hayes, K., Mitchell, J., & Oocumma, N. Utilization of Experiential Learning, and the Learning Outcomes Model Reduces RN Orientation Time by More Than 35%. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 11(2), 79-94.

MSMS Program Welcomes Dr. Ericchetti!

The Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation Program is pleased to welcome Anthony Ericchetti, PhD, CHSE as an adjunct faculty member.  Dr. Ericchetti is the course director of the debriefing course.

Tony Errichetti earned his PhD in psychoeducation from Temple University with a focus on group dynamics and organizational development. In his first career he was a professor of psychology and used simulations to train therapists.

Since that time he has specialized in standardized patient (SP) education.  He started by serving as a standardized patient to train psychiatry residents, and then became an SP trainer in 1992 at the National Board of Medical Examiners in Philadelphia. He is now director of doctor-patient communication assessment at the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Between his two national board positions, he has worked for over 20 years developing and directing medical school and hospital-based simulations centers in Philadelphia and New York.

Dr. Errichetti started the first MS program in Medical/Healthcare Simulation in 2012 at the NYIT-College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is proud to be teaching in Drexel’s MS in Medical and Healthcare Simulation program.

In 2011 he co-founded The Simulation Studio, where he continues to serve as co-director, organizing patient simulation conferences for SPs and SP trainers at medical and nursing schools.

Come and learn more about the Drexel MSMS program at IMSH 2016

The Drexel University Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation Program is excited to be attending the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare Conference in San Diego this January 16-20.  

The Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation (MSMS) program is a unique, part-time, two-year program that is the first of its kind to offer advanced training in simulation teaching, curriculum design, and the fundamentals of simulation research in an interprofessional setting. This degree program will prepare healthcare professions to further their academic career in healthcare simulation via quality, effective, simulation-based medical education, research, management, leadership and teamwork skills.To learn more about the MSMS Program at Drexel University visit our website: www.drexelmed.edu/mssim and stop by our booth at IMSH #827.

MSMS Student Elizabeth Horsley Earns Simulation Award

Elizabeth Horsley, part of the inaugural group of students in the Drexel University Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation program, has been awarded the SIM-one 2015 Sim Citizenship Award.  Elizabeth is a simulation educator at Brock University's Nursing Program in Ontario, Canada.

The SIM Citizenship Award recognizes Ontario simulationists who have made important contributions in the healthcare simulation field. It honors those who have made an outstanding impact on education, teaching, creative professional activities, and other endeavors. The award praises collaborative and dedicated simulationists who exceed the expectations of their role in promoting simulation in their communities. 

We are very proud of Elizabeth and look forward to following her future contributions to the scholarship of simulation education!

Congratulating the 2015 SIM Citizenship Award recipients (Left to right: Judy Bornais, University of Windsor; Steven Lester (on behalf of David Starmer), CMCC; Tony Mallette, Lambton College; Elizabeth Horsley, Brock University; and Bruce Ballon, SIM-one)
photo: courtesy of SIM-one

The Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation (MSMS) program is a unique, part-time, two-year program that is the first of its kind to offer advanced training in simulation teaching, curriculum design, and the fundamentals of simulation research in an interprofessional setting. This degree program will prepare healthcare professions to further their academic career in healthcare simulation via quality, effective, simulation-based medical education, research, management, leadership and teamwork skills.To learn more about the MSMS Program at Drexel University visit our website: www.drexelmed.edu/mssim

Drexel University’s MS in Medical & Healthcare Simulation Program Welcomes the Next Interprofessional Cohort

As the inaugural group of the Master of Science in Medical & Healthcare Simulation (MSMS) program enters their second year of classes, Drexel welcomes their second cohort of ten students into the program.

The new class hails from a diverse interprofessional background, including registered nurses, physicians, a physician assistant, oral surgical assistant and an anesthesia technician.  Having such a dynamic group will surely lead to interesting discussions revolving around trends in medical & healthcare simulation in all fields.

The class has already had the opportunity to meet each other in a virtual setting.  After using a VoiceThread® introduction to meet each other and the faculty, the students had a virtual synchronous session to say hello and familiarize themselves with the online course modalities.  While many of the students come from all over the United States and Puerto Rico, two students, who are both from Wisconsin, realized they were only a couple hours away from each other. 

“Its wonderful to see the students are already beginning to bond and exchange stories about their involvement in simulation. We are looking forward to meeting our new class in person for our first practicum week in October and are so excited to expand the curriculum for our inaugural class.” said Sharon Griswold-Theodorson, MD, Director of the MSMS program. 

Dr. William McGaghie Visits Drexel University to Speak with MSMS students

The Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation (MSMS) program was fortunate to have Dr. William McGaghie visit Drexel University on March 26th to participate in a synchronous web session highlighting Simulation Based Mastery Learning.  The MSMS students had the opportunity to review content online and prepare questions for Dr. McGaghie during the Assessment Course.  

The session was very well received by all; “I really enjoyed Dr. McGaghie, it is so amazing that we get to speak with all of the simulation ‘powerhouses’ that have advanced this field. He knows the struggles we see yet his optimism is so inspirational” said Susan Coffey Zern, MD, MSMS student and director of the Virtual Education and Simulation Training Center for Christiana Care Health System in Newark, DE.

William C. McGaghie, PhD, directs the Leischner Institute for Medical Research at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He has a PhD in Educational Psychology from Northwestern University and has more than 40 years of teaching, research, and scholarly experience in medical and health professions education.  Dr. McGaghie has held faculty appointments at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 

Dr. McGaghie has published extensively in simulation-based education, health professions education, preventive medicine, and related fields.  He has served as a consultant to a variety of professional organizations including the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Board of Internal Medicine, American Physical Therapy Association, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and to universities and medical schools worldwide.   

Drexel University’s Masters in Medical & Healthcare Simulation is a unique, part-time, primarily online, two-year program that is the first of its kind to offer advanced training in simulation teaching, curriculum design, and the fundamentals of simulation research in an interprofessional setting. The program’s faculty are national and international leaders in medical and healthcare simulation.  This degree program will prepare healthcare professions to further their academic career in healthcare simulation via quality, effective, simulation-based medical education, research, management, leadership and teamwork skills.  For more information about the masters program, please visit www.drexelmed.edu/mssim/

Attend an MSMS Online Information Session 

Drexel will also be hosting live online information sessions about the MSMS program in April and May.  Hosted by faculty and staff from the program, the sessions provide a wealth of information about the program and allow for opportunities to ask questions. Visit bit.ly/mssim to RSVP for an upcoming webinar.

DREXEL WINS SIMWARS AT THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR SIMULATION IN HEALTHCARE (IMSH)

Drexel University Emergency Medicine’s Simulation team took first place in the annual SimWars competition at the 2015 International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) in New Orleans, LA.

SimWars is an annual event at the five-day conference where various simulation centers from around the world form teams to compete in the challenge.  Drexel’s team consisted of six team members and was led by Sharon Griswold, MD the Program Director for Drexel’s Masters of Science in Medical & Healthcare Simulation (MSMS).

“This was a great showing, ” said Dr. Griswold. “Not only for the EM Simulation team but also spotlights the strength of Drexel’s new Masters in Simulation program”

The teams were tasked with creating a medical simulation case that met specific learning objects designed around the disclosure of a medical error.  For entertainment value they were also asked to include some New Orleans charm into the cases by including items such as a bottle of Death Sauce hot sauce, a Mardi Gras mask, a rubber gator, a toy musical instrument, and the word celebration.  They were asked to complete this task in just two and a half hours and then present it on stage to a large audience who voted to determine the winner. Teams were judged on meeting the learning objectives, entertainment, quality of the healthcare debriefing and overall performance.

This was not Drexel’s first time competing nor was it their first victory.  The team took home a trophy in 2013.  However, the format of the competition was completely different than in years past.  This years’ SimWars was a change of pace.  In the past teams were judged on medical treatment and team communication skills as healthcare providers, this year the competition showcased what a simulation team does on a consistent basis; create, coordinate and debrief simulations for learners.  After the 10 minute simulation there was an intense debriefing of the learners led by Drexel’s Jami Smith, PA-C, John Erbayri, NREMT-P, and Srikala Ponnuru, MD.


“Debriefing can be challenging on a regular basis,” said Erbayri. “Adding in the unfamiliarity of the learners and doing it in front of hundreds of people in the audience was amazing experience.”

The Drexel team was able to construct a simulation with a serious and emotional tone while also utilizing the props to cause a large amount of distractions making a challenging situation for any learner.

With all of the students from the MS in Medical & Healthcare Simulation program in attendance and the SimWars victory there was plenty of buzz about Drexel University and the masters program during the conference.  As a result, next year Drexel may be represented by a MSMS student team at SimWars 2016 at IMSH in San Diego, CA.

The Masters in Medical & Healthcare Simulation at Drexel University, is a unique, part-time, primarily online, two-year program that is the first of its kind to offer advanced training in simulation teaching, curriculum design, and the fundamentals of simulation research in an interprofessional setting. This degree program will prepare healthcare professions to further their academic career in healthcare simulation via quality, effective, simulation-based medical education, research, management, leadership and teamwork skills.  For more information about the masters program, please visit www.drexelmed.edu/mssim/

Proof that Sim and CPR Saves Lives

The Sim Team at Drexel received a kind thank message from one of our former Emergency Medicine Residents, Lauren Donnelly, MD.  Lauren now works for Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, CA and recently helped save the life of a 9 year old boy who suffered cardiac arrest after being electrocuted on October 4th, 2014.  

Elijah Belden was playing at his birthday party when he grabbed a metal pole in his backyard that became electrified from decorative lights. He instantly fell to the ground and became unresponsive.  Luckily, a family friend started CPR right away and paramedics were on the scene within five minutes. Elijah was brought to Temecula Valley Hospital where Lauren took what she learned in the Drexel Sim Lab and put it to work to save Elijah's life.  

Lauren was the only medical doctor on staff that night and was given little notice that Elijah was on is way in to the ER.  He arrived in V-fib arrest and after being shocked one time he converted to NSR.  However, due to eating lots of pizza and soda at the party he instantly began to vomit and Lauren was unable to protect his airway and decided to start intubation.  

According to Lauren, this when the simulation practice paid off for her.  The nurse working that night was asking "what intubation meds do you want?" and "what size ET tube do you want?"  

For a brief moment Lauren froze, she realized he was a little too big for the Broselow tape, but too small to be treated as an adult. Using a peds quick reference card to quickly look up doses, she gave him Roc and Etomidate.  Lauren remembered the formula for ETT from using it constantly in the sim lab at Drexel and set up a 6.5 sized ETT tube.

Right as she was about to intubate him he had some decerebrate posturing.  Luckily, the intubation went smoothly and the medical team immediately started cooling him.  Lauren started him on a Versed drip and had to keep re-paralyzing him with Roc to prevent shivering.  A helicopter then took Elijah to a local Children's hospital where he remained in a coma for eight days. 

Finally, a day before his 10th birthday he awoke with out deficits and began the road to full recovery.  Elijah was released from the hospital on October 20th, two days later he came with his family to the Temecula Valley Hospital to thank Lauren and the rest of the medical team for their life saving work.

Lauren was able to attend Elijah first little league game after the accident and witnessed him score four runs that contributed to a 14-1 win for his team.  This was not only a victory on the field but a victory for Elijah and his family, the medical team at Temecula Valley Hospital, and for the Drexel Sim Team.   

Lauren sent a thank you message to members of the Drexel Sim Team expressing how much of an impact her time practicing codes in the Sim Lab made on her professional career. 

"I couldn't have done any of this as quickly and confidently if it hadn't been for the mega-codes and mock pediatric codes we did over and over in sim lab. Thank you for making me a better doctor and helping me save this kid's life!"- Lauren Donnelly, MD

That message from Lauren and the successful recovery of Elijah is a true estimate of how much of an impact simulation makes on medical education.  Without the hours in the sim lab this story may have ended very differently.  

To learn more about Elijah's story please visit his Facebook page Pray For Elijah Belden

First Ever Practicum Week of the MSMS Program was a True Success

The Inaugural Class of the MSMS Program, from left to right -  Matthew Charnetski, Deisy Mercado, MD, Jessica Parsons, MD, Susan Coffey Zern, MD, Elizabeth Horsley, RN and Bettina Schmitz, MD.

Imagine sitting through a week of nine-hour days, filled with intense lectures, discussions and group projects.  Most students would be eager finish and go home to their friends and family. However, at 5 PM on Friday our students were still in class not ready to leave. All were expressing how they wish the next practicum week was just around the corner.

"Quite simply, this was by far the best, most outstanding education or professional event of my career," said Elizabeth Horsley, RN MEd from Ontario, Canada.

"The on campus sim practicum week was amazing and mind blowing. Outstanding faculty and staff." said  Bettina Schmitz, MD from Texas. 

Their actions and kind words were a true showing of the success of our first practicum week of the MS in Medical and Healthcare Simulation program.

This was the first of three Simulation Laboratory Practicum courses required for the MSMS degree at Drexel University College of Medicine’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies.  The remainder of the program is held completely online focusing on the many facets of simulation-based medical education while simultaneously providing students with multiple options to pursue related areas of interest upon graduation. This first week gave a broad overall look at the many areas of medical simulation that exist today. The students were introduced to both high and low fidelity forms of simulation, the costs involved and what simulation scenario best fits the educational needs. 

Beyond the actual simulation there was a heavy focus on writing goals and objectives, developing scenarios and cases, along with plenty of discussion on debriefing and evaluation. 

The students were asked to take what they learned and create full scenarios that included goals and objects and a full debriefing session. The students then presented their projects on Friday and received instant group feedback. 
One of the unique features of the MSMS program at Drexel is the heavy focus on being interprofessional and the projects were required to have a variety of professional roles.  Due to the fact that the students come from different backgrounds, including medical doctors, nursing and EMT, they were able to better understand why interprofessional simulation and communication is so important in medical education. 

The next practicum week for this co-hort is set for September 2015 followed by a week in the Spring 2016 semester.  

Inaugral Class of the MSMS Program Begin Their First In-Person Practicum Week

Today we welcomed our inaugural class of the MSMS program to our Center City Campus at Drexel University for their first of three practicum weeks.  Our students of varying professions traveled to Philadelphia from all around the United States and even as far as Canada.  We are beyond happy to have them join us here on campus, to not only teach them, but to learn from their own experiences in medical and healthcare simulation.

This morning, the students were immediately thrown into a mass simulation scenario of a fallen in ceiling.  The simulation included a SimMan 3G, SimNewB, Megacode Kid and one standardized patient.  Students, who met for the first time just minutes beforehand, acted quickly to form a team to assess the situation and provide care. 

In the afternoon they were introduced to various modalities of simulators and asked to evaluate how they could be used for different levels of learners.  The information they learn throughout the week, along with what they learned in the first half of the semester will be demonstrated in their group projects to be presented this Friday. 

With such a great group of students we are looking forward to the rest of the week and seeing their final projects at the end of the week.