Goals, Objectives, & Outcome
Goals
This 12-month track will support residents to gain the knowledge, skills, and methods necessary to: (a) participate in simulation-based medical education and research; and (b) launch a scholarly career trajectory toward leadership in simulation-based approaches that improve learning, quality of care, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.
Objectives
Upon completion of this track, residents will be able to:
- Critique several key publications regarding one area of concentration in medical simulation
- Create and use models, materials, and equipment to support simulation-based teaching
- Use a systematic process to plan, teach, and assess a simulation-based education session
Outcome
Upon completion of the track, residents will be awarded a certificate of distinction in Medical Simulation from Emory University School of Medicine.
Components:
- Core Curriculum
- Simulation Methods and Research [Monthly Small Groups, 2nd Mondays, 4-5 PM]
- Comparative analysis site visits to medical simulation centers
- Hands-on simulation practicum comprising one-half day per week during one month
- Experiential Learning
- Assist in creating innovative materials and using task trainers, mannequins, and technological methods such as virtual and augmented reality to teach medical tasks and procedural skills
- Participate in the design, facilitation, debriefing, and performance assessment of learners in novel, immersive, high fidelity simulation scenarios including those supporting interprofessional education and collaborative practice
- Conduct an analysis of one aspect of simulation program management
- Capstone Innovation Project
- Design, implement, and assess an innovative simulation-based educational offering
- Present a poster at Emory Medical Education Day, Emory Quality Conference, or a similar academic meeting
- Optional: Submit a poster or podium presentation to a national conference or write a mentored, peer-reviewed paper on medical simulation
- Mentorship
- Simulation faculty coach and Department-specific faculty advisor
Track Requirements:
- Competitive Application: Personal Statement, Program Director Letter of Support (including Program commitment to one month during the academic year when the trainee will spend one-half day per week in a hands-on practicum in the Excel Simulation Center located in the Emory University School of Medicine), and Interview
- 80% monthly Discussion Group series attendance
- Completion of a mentored Capstone Innovation Project
Proposed Topics
- Curriculum design
- Medical simulation modalities
- Building and using low-cost simulation models
- Task trainers and procedural learning
- Simulation scenario design
- Technical aspects of medical simulation
- Simulation session facilitation
- Simulation session debriefing
- Integration of simulation into the educational curriculum
- Integration of simulation into a healthcare organization’s quality and safety strategy
- Simulation performance assessment
- Simulation program evaluation
- Scholarly products and peer review in medical simulation
Tentative Schedule
Small Group Discussions are held every month, typically on the second Monday of the month, 4:00-5:00 pm. The resident’s one-month (one-half day per week) hands-on practicum will be arranged during a month agreed upon by both the residency program and the Track program. The practicum will take place in the Excel Simulation Center, Emory University School of Medicine.
Eligibility & General Requirements
Eligibility
Application to the Medical Simulation Residency Track is open to all rising PGY2 or higher Residents/Fellows in good standing with their graduate medical education training program.
- Residents and fellows apply to the Track by March 15 prior to the academic year of entry into the Track, and complete the Track during one academic year.
- A limited number of residents and fellows will be selected based on a competitive application process as noted above.
General Requirements
- Residents/Fellows must remain in good standing with the residency/fellowship program.
- Residents/Fellows must maintain regular attendance at monthly Group Discussions.
- Residents/Fellows must complete and present a mentored Capstone Innovation Project.
- Residents/Fellows must adhere to Emory residency work-hour policies.
Application Process
The application must include the following components:
- A personal statement describing why you would like to participate in the Track, your interest in simulation-based learning and research, and your expected goals and outcomes. The personal statement must be limited to no more than one page.
- A letter of support from the Program Director indicating support for participation in the Track as described above.
- Applicants also will be expected to attend an interview.
Please submit your application to Dr. Michele L. Sumler no later than March 15 for consideration in the cohort starting in July.
2021-2022 Cohort

Name: Anjali Patel
Specialty: Internal Medicine/Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care Medicine
Health Equity, Advocacy, and Policy Interest:
Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Academic medicine, Cooking, Hiking, Snowboarding, Reading

Name: Terrell Jones
Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Health Equity, Advocacy, and Policy Interest:
I am interested in studying the intersections between hands-on simulation approaches and evidence-based strategies for medical education at all levels of healthcare career development. In particular, I hope to acquire the skills necessary to enhance learners’ proficiencies in the recognition and resuscitation of critical Emergency Department patients through the development of a high-fidelity simulation curriculum. Additionally, I hope to combine these acquired skills with my passion for community outreach by implementing creative, simulation-based approaches to improve health literacy in underserved and under-resourced populations.

Name: Madeline Roorbach
Specialty: General Surgery
Health Equity, Advocacy, and Policy Interest:
Academic – trauma outcomes, medical education. Personal – hiking with my pup, breweries, reading, skiing

Name: Jeffrey Okonye
Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Health Equity, Advocacy, and Policy Interest:
Simulation & Quality Improvement and Improving Health Equity

Name: Caroline Ray
Specialty: Child Neurology
Health Equity, Advocacy, and Policy Interest:
My interests within simulation include developing projects aimed at furthering learners' skills within the realm of psychosocial topics in clinical settings. I hope to use simulation as a tool to educate others on working with underserved populations. I also am interested in exploring cases within neurology, such as with simulation of a code stroke on a pediatric patient. Outside of simulation, I love art and music and have even found ways to incorporate these passions into prior simulation projects.
2020-2021 Cohort

Name: Nabil K. Abazaid, MD
Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Name: Hannah B. Dalke, MD, MS
Specialty: Anesthesiology

Name: Elissa A. Falconer, MD
Specialty: General Surgery

Name: Gregory W. Wigger, MD
Specialty: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine