The Memorial Foundation has awarded Belmont University $300,000 to upgrade high-fidelity simulation equipment, support interprofessional training in the College of Health Sciences & Nursing and fund a post-graduate Healthcare Simulation Fellowship. Belmont has appointed Dr. Gwenn Randall as the college’s first fellow.
“We are grateful to the Memorial Foundation for this generous gift that will enable us to markedly increase the impact of our clinical simulation program. In addition to creating exciting new clinical experiences for both students and community providers, with this funding we will create new ways of educating future leaders in this emerging field,” said College of Health Sciences & Nursing Dean Cathy R. Taylor.
The University’s advanced patient simulators allow students to experience the health care profession’s daily challenges in a controlled environment. Computerized mannequins exhibit real patient symptoms and respond accordingly to treatment provided by caregivers, based on programmed scenarios. The use of simulation allows individuals preparing for health care professions to practice treatments and learn technique through simulation before treating actual patients. The University used a portion of the Memorial Foundation grant to purchase a highly specialized obstetrical mannequin that will be used to train nursing students and community partners to respond to high risk obstetric emergencies.
“A program in health care professional training in simulation meets a need in the industry, appeals to professionals who want a unique and growing career and is attractive to teaching institutions who want to become involved or expand simulation,” said Dr. Beth Hallmark, director of simulation.
Randall will work on faculty development for integration of simulation into curriculum, evaluating and debriefing nursing, pharmacy, social work, physical and occupational therapy students based on Society for Simulation in Healthcare guidelines. She also will develop a personal simulation plan including online modules and face to face interactions, create a strategic plan for a simulation program, research design and development, plan and implement clinical case studies.
Randall said, “This post-doctoral fellowship in Simulation Laboratory Management is a very unique opportunity where the intricacies of simulation and the simulation environment are being explored. I view my role at Belmont as a learner, educator, motivator, evaluator, developer, publisher and researcher. Upon completion, I will sit for the certification exam as a simulation specialist in health care.”
She joins Belmont with extensive clinical and administrative nursing experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Howard University, a Master of Science in nurse anesthesia from St. Joseph’s University; a Master of Science in Nursing from Temple University and a doctorate in nursing from Barry University. She completed post-doctoral simulation training at Mayo Clinic and completes at least two foreign mission trips annually to provide anesthesia services to residents of medically underserved areas. She also help developed the practicum for the Master of Science in nurse anesthesia program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she returns yearly for both didactic and clinical instruction.