Simulation Pulse Point: A message from the Associate Dean
Thank you all for the warm welcome to the Brody School of Medicine. These past three months have been both energizing and inspiring as I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the institution and meet the brilliant minds who drive our mission forward. I’ve especially enjoyed speaking with students and faculty who shared how meaningful the simulation center has been in shaping their educational experience. I am deeply grateful for the prior leadership of Dr. Skip Robey, who paved the way for the growth of simulation at Brody, and for the steadfast partnership of our Administrative Director, Rebecca Gilbird. Their commitment has built the strong foundation we continue to grow upon. As we look ahead, especially with the establishment of the new simulation center, I envision strengthening our technology-enhanced and simulation-based education in collaboration with our UME, GME, ECU Health EastCare and allied health partners. My goal is to further build a learner-centered model rooted in patient-centered care, teamwork, and safety. It has been a privilege to work closely with our interprofessional teams as we continue to advance IPE efforts across the center. As the year comes to a close, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to lead this team and contribute to the ongoing development of our simulation initiatives within this incredible community. Happy Holidays, Warm regards, Afrah
Announcements
The winter holiday is approaching quickly (Dec. 24, 2025-January 2, 2026). Please let us know if you anticipate needing access to the Simulation Center over winter break.
Welcome new students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff! If you would like a tour of the Simulation Center, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at csc@ecu.edu
Congratulations to Dave Schiller, Operations Manager of the Simulation Center, who was elected to the ECU Staff Senate.
We will be closed Monday, January 19, 2026 in observance of the MLK holiday.
Photo right: M2 students assess a standardized patient on a simulated overdose, their monthly Integrated Patient Care Simulation.
Simulation Stars
Congratulations to Wyatt Brown, ECU College of Nursing, for passing the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) exam through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare!
We want to recognize Christine Lysaght, PT, DPT, CSCS, for her guidance with the Clinical Simulation Center in the November Interprofessional Education event with Brody medical students, Physical Therapy students, and students from the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies.
The CSC also wants to thank Dr. Steve Mow of Family Medicine for his support in teaching at the Simulation Center.
Congratulations to Tonya Rutherford-Hemming, Interprofessional Nurse Educator, on being selected as a Society for Simulation in Healthcare Fellow. This achievement recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to healthcare simulation.
Congratulations to Jessica Cringan, Simulation Specialist, for being elected chair of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Low-Cost & Low-Resource Affinity Group.
Photo right: Dental residents practicing their medical emergency skills in situ at ECU Health.
Program Activity
We hosted the annual Interprofessional Trauma Emergency Assessment & Management (I-TEAM) Day at the Simulation Center where BSOM, College of Nursing, and PA students learned triage skills and applied them in a mass casualty scenario.
ECU Health EastCare continues to use the BSOM Simulation Center for high-stakes performance assessment and continuing education for staff.
Internal Medicine residents continue to participate in weekly high-fidelity simulation scenarios.
Brody M1 students and Pitt Community College nursing students collaborated together in an Interprofessional Education Simulation where they had to disclose a medication error to a patient. This was the first year M1 students participated in this IPE event. Evaluations were positive and we plan to refine the event for next year.
Brody M2 students participated in weekly Physical Diagnosis Rotations (PDR) where they learned the basics of ultrasound knobology and the FAST exam, airway managment, and ultrasound-guided IVs.
Physician Assistant students had ACLS assessments, practiced airway maintenance, intubation, and central lines. They also used the LAP VR trainer for a self-directed assignment for their surgery class.
The Emergency Medicine residency continues their monthly conferences. Recent conferences were focused on OB/GYN, Renal, Urogenital, and GI emergencies.
The Department of Pediatrics continue training their residents using high-fidelity scenarios at the Simulation Center focusing on inpatient care.
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (P&CCM) fellows trained at the Simulation Center in difficult airway, transvenous pacer, central lines, ultrasound, and pericardiocentesis.
The Division of Hematology Oncology trained their fellows in bone marrow biopsy/intrathecal chemotherapy at the Simulation Center.
ECU Health Trauma held Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classes at the Simulation Center.
The Simulation Center partnered with the School of Dental Medicine to hold in situ sessions for their residents in the dental clinic.
Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine residents continue their monthly conferences where they practice various skills such as central lines and ultrasound-guided procedures in the Simulation Center. They also participate in high-fidelity scenarios based on critically ill patients.
Photo right: Dr. Augustin DuSablon gives an ultrasound-guided central line demonstration to Physician Assistant students.
Expanding the Field
Dr. Afrah Ali was on the panel for the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Early Career Committee: Simulation Career Paths: Navigating the diverse opportunities for simulation-based Emergency Medicine physicians. The panel encompassed academic and community career options.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to train its officers and all emergency response personnel at the Simulation Center.
The Healthcare Simulation Unit (HSU) conducted pediatric trauma simulations at ECU Health Chowan and ECU Health Bertie to train medical personnel in high-fidelity pediatric trauma simulation.
The Healthcare Simulation Unit was a featured exhibit for the HOSA Regional Leadership Conference held at Eastern AHEC. Students toured the vehicle and saw a high-fidelity manikin. The purpose of this event was to engage students interested in health careers. Over 150 students participated!
ECU Emergency Medical Service, an initiative led by undergraduate students, refreshed their EMT skills at the Simulation Center.
Jessica Cringan, Dr. Afrah Ali, and Becky Gilbird had an article accepted in Simulation Technology and Operations Resource Magazine (STORM): Innovation on a Budget: Customizing a Free App for Program Inventory. STORM is a peer-reviewed publication associated with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
Becky Gilbird, Bill Vasios, and Tonya Rutherford-Hemming are presenting at the International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare next month in San Antonio, TX.
Dr. Afrah Ali, Kim Haga, and Becky Gilbird have been accepted to present at the Beyond the Manikin conference in Carolina Beach, NC, in March 2026.
Bill Vasios, Simulation Fellow, is collaborating with the Department of Physician Assistant Studies on a project related to observational feedback during scenarios. He is also exploring social cognitive learning in simulation-based interprofessional education as a scholarly project.
Photo right: Healthcare Simulation Unit outside of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium™ for the Trauma Symposium 2025: Current Trends in Trauma Care.
Photo Gallery
Credits:
Created with images by Angelov - "Fir Tree decorated with christmas balls on rustic wood and sparkles light backgorund" • hassan - "Festive christmas background with snowflakes and bokeh lights - elegant winter holiday vector illustration"