The college鈥檚 Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center recently received full accreditation in human simulation by the Association of SP Educators, which is the highest honor given by the organization and recognizes an organization鈥檚 adherence to the standards of best practices to ensure growth, integrity and safe application of human simulation-based education practices.

麻豆原创 is one of just 19 simulation centers worldwide and the only program in Florida in the inaugural Association of SP Educators accreditation cohort 鈥� elevating the university to an elite group of leaders with accreditations or endorsements from all three healthcare simulation organizations.

Leading in Simulation

Last month, 麻豆原创 also received re-endorsement from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning for continued excellence in applying simulation standards of best practice in education.

麻豆原创鈥檚 endorsement dates back to 2022, when it was one of nine programs worldwide to receive the inaugural Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement.

Additionally, 麻豆原创 recently earned re-accreditation in teaching and education from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare 鈥� an international honor the university has held since 2020. 麻豆原创 was awarded an additional accreditation in research.

鈥淭hese three international accolades highlight how 麻豆原创 is continuing to lead at a global level in healthcare simulation education, research and practice,鈥� says Mindi Anderson, associate dean for simulation and immersive learning at 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Nursing and one of the college鈥檚 internationally certified healthcare simulation experts. 鈥淭hrough excellence in simulation, 麻豆原创 is able to ensure nursing students at all levels graduate practice-ready with hands-on clinical skills as well as strong judgment, decision-making, communication and critical thinking skills 鈥� ensuring quality, compassionate and safer patient care.鈥�

Each year, 麻豆原创鈥檚 STIM Center provides more than 12,000 simulation-based contact hours to undergraduate and graduate students using high-technology manikins, augmented and virtual reality applications, and hologram technologies.

It continues to innovate in the evolving field and is currently piloting the use of artificial intelligence with simulation in nursing education.

In Fall 2025, 麻豆原创鈥檚 STIM Center will expand its physical footprint and future impact with its new space in the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on the Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona.

The Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center will feature state-of-the-art simulated patient suites, a clinical skills exam suite and dedicated space for virtual reality and immersive research.

Spears was in the first cohort of 25 professionals from four countries to earn the international credentials.

The certification recognizes those who are certified healthcare simulation operations specialists who have demonstrated leadership and advanced simulation capabilities at their institution and beyond. She earned that specialist designation in 2018.

I am dedicated to demonstrating the importance of simulation pedagogy daily.

One of her creations, for example, was the development of an 鈥淓scape Rescue Room,鈥� where students are provided hidden clues to address a patient鈥檚 signs and symptoms. The innovative method enhances teaching and learning of health policies, hospital procedures and guidelines. The activity also was presented at the National League for Nursing Summit and published in at least two journals. In addition, Spears created an online orientation and helped develop a 鈥淗aunted Lab鈥� and 鈥淎mazing Race鈥� experience for teaching nurses.

鈥淭his recognition confirms that my endeavors to continuously excel in simulation and promote the science of simulation as a profession continue to pay off in the most rewarding ways,鈥� Spears says. 鈥淲hether designing innovative training products, conducting orientation tours, or managing simulated clinical experiences, I am dedicated to demonstrating the importance of simulation pedagogy daily.鈥�

Spears started her career in healthcare simulation more than 10 years ago. Today she leads a team that supports faculty with successful simulation-based experiences for undergraduate nursing students and graduate nurses during simulation and clinical skills-based education. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 in computer information systems from Florida A&M University, and her master鈥檚 degrees in human resources management and computer resources and information management from Webster University. In 2017, she became one of the first graduates of 麻豆原创鈥檚 healthcare simulation graduate certificate program.

In addition to her experience in academia, she also worked in the corporate sector in the field of healthcare simulation and education.

鈥淯sing simulation to engage future nurse professionals will ensure that our communities will have thoroughly trained nurses that will strive to reduce errors, improve performance, and safely provide quality patient care,鈥� Spears says. 鈥淔or these reasons and more, I will continue to promote learning through the advancement of simulation.鈥�

The Society for Simulation in healthcare is the largest healthcare simulation organization in the world, with more than 4,900 members from more than 60 countries.

In other recent healthcare news, the healthcare simulation graduate certificate is the first 麻豆原创 online graduate certificate to have its three programs attain 鈥渉igh quality鈥� designations from the university鈥檚 Center for Distributed Learning.

The courses in the program are: Introduction to Healthcare Simulation and Healthcare Simulation Capstone Project, taught by Professor Mindi Anderson, and Organizational Leadership and Operations in Healthcare Simulation, taught by Assistant Professor Desiree Diaz. Kathleen Bastedo is the CDL instructional designer for the faculty members.

An educator for more than two decades, Anderson was an early pioneer in adopting healthcare simulation in academic settings and today is one of the foremost experts in the field. She was among the world鈥檚 first 20 healthcare simulation educators to earn advanced certification seven years ago.

Anderson鈥檚 research has been widely published and presented nationally and internationally, and has helped shape nursing education and establish best practices in healthcare simulation. Her research includes using simulation in preparing students for nursing practice and in interprofessional education, virtual and game-based simulation, and new simulation technologies.

In addition to her accomplishments and research, Anderson鈥檚 鈥済rowing national and international reputation as an independent investigator and major contributor in advancing the field of healthcare simulation鈥� was a determining factor for the award, says Robert Armstrong, president of the society.

Anderson, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified pediatric nurse practitioner 鈥� primary care, has been at 麻豆原创 since 2015. She earned her BSN at Texas Christian University, her master鈥檚 at University of Texas at Arlington, and her doctorate at Texas Woman鈥檚 University.

She holds two patents on advances in simulation and training, is associate editor of Simulation & Gaming, a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and is on the board of directors of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning, which honored her with an Excellence in Academia Award in 2018.

鈥淗er work is not limited to academic research and aspects of the simulation experience 鈥� but the care of vulnerable populations such as children, her clinical specialization.鈥�

鈥淪everal national studies have used her collaborative work,鈥� says Assistant Professor Frank Guido-Sanz in a letter of recommendation to the society. 鈥淗er work is not limited to academic research and aspects of the simulation experience 鈥� but the care of vulnerable populations such as children, her clinical specialization.鈥�

In addition to her impact on nursing education and training, Anderson is influencing future generations of simulation researchers and leaders as a mentor.

鈥淒r. Anderson has the unique ability to mentor learners from varying levels of expertise and inspire them to achieve higher goals,鈥� says senior lecturer Erica Hoyt.

Anderson says she鈥檚 been fortunate to have worked with the best coworkers and students at 麻豆原创 and beyond.

鈥淚 am inspired daily from my colleagues and students and their commitment to advancing nursing and patient safety,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am particularly humbled by this award as the nominators were faculty colleagues and mentees. For 麻豆原创, I believe this highlights the innovative programs and solutions we have to offer and have developed.鈥�

Anderson last week also was honored by Faculty Excellence as one of 31 women faculty members for their impact on students and the campus community. The award was part of the campus鈥� annual Women鈥檚 History Month observance.

generously sponsored this year’s award. Each woman received a Barnes & Noble gift card.

The 2021 honorees are listed below, and more detailed bios will be updated daily on the Provost’s website during the month of March to feature each woman and her accomplishments.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees:

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine

Nursing Practice,聽College of Nursing

School of聽Social聽Work, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Research Associate Professor and Core Scientist
Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine

Assistant Professor
Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Director
Physics, College of Sciences

Anthropology, College of Sciences

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine

School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

School of Performing Arts, College of Arts and Humanities

Counselor Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Criminal Justice, College of Community Innovation and Education

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine

School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Anthropology, College of Sciences

Biology, College of Sciences

History, College of Arts and Humanities

School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Educational Leadership, College of Community Innovation and Education

Psychology, College of Sciences

Nursing Systems, College of Nursing

Foodservice and Lodging Management, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Florida Space Institute and Arecibo Observatory, College of Sciences

Modern Languages and Literatures, College of Arts and Humanities

English, College of Arts and Humanities

Learning Sciences and Educational Research, College of Community Innovation and Education

Center for Distributed Learning

School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

College of Medicine

Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science

The annual award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the day-to-day implementation of simulation and to excellence in the delivery of simulation-based learning. Spears received the award Thursday at the association鈥檚 2019 conference in Phoenix. The association is a global community of more than 1,800 industry leaders, educators and researchers dedicated to transforming practice to improve patient safety through excellence in healthcare simulation.

鈥淭he advancement and desire to expound on the science of simulation drives her,鈥� says Assistant Professor Desiree A. D铆az. 鈥淪yretta has provided a level of stability and spirit of excellence in the daily operations of our STIM Center and fosters an environment of innovation.鈥�

鈥淪yretta is the one individual we have come to trust to ensure our simulation-based learning experiences meet the highest standards,鈥� says Laura Gonzalez, simulation director at the college. 鈥淪he supports the facilitators and ensures the activities provide an enriching experience for all learners.鈥�

One such activity is the development of an 鈥淓scape Rescue Room,鈥� where teams of students are given hidden clues to address a patient mannequin鈥檚 signs and symptoms. The innovative, yet informative, method is used to enhance teaching and learning of health policies, hospital procedures and guidelines. 聽This successful activity was recently selected for presentation at the National League for Nursing Summit.

Additionally, Spears recently led the efforts to create Simsations 4 Life at the college. In the interdisciplinary club, simulation activities are brought to life with undergraduate and graduate students as well as volunteers from LIFE@麻豆原创 (Learning Institute for Elders) who participate as embedded patients. Spears also created the online orientation and helped develop a 鈥淗aunted Lab鈥� and 鈥淎mazing Race鈥� experience, demonstrating her creativity and innovation in the field.

鈥淭he creation of the club has elevated our simulation fidelity, or realism, tenfold,鈥� says Gonzalez.

Spears has been the STIM Center manager since 2016 and was among the first graduates of the college鈥檚 innovative and interdisciplinary healthcare simulation graduate certificate program. Last year she became one of the first to earn the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist designation. The certification is an international recognition of her specialized knowledge, skills, abilities and accomplishments in the field. Now she is preparing to conduct her first webinar to mentor other simulationists.

At 麻豆原创, she is part an elite team of healthcare simulation experts, including three advanced certified healthcare simulation educators, two certified healthcare simulation educators, and an internationally recognized computer scientist and engineer.

This is the third consecutive year that an excellence award from the association honored a faculty or staff member from the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. Associate Professor Mindi Anderson and D铆az were honored with the Excellence in Academia award in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Anderson was selected for her significant contributions over the past decade to advance nursing education through simulation best practices. She is one of 195 distinguished nurse leaders in the 2018 class of fellows. Academy fellows include leaders in hospitals, government, academia and the scientific community and represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 29 countries. The inductees were honored Nov. 3 during a ceremony at the academy鈥檚 annual policy conference in Washington.

鈥淚n my more than 15 years of experience in simulation, Dr. Anderson is among the most effective and innovative educators that I have had the pleasure of seeing in action,鈥� said Judy LeFlore, associate dean for simulation and technology at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation. 鈥淪he has developed the learning efficiencies of simulation across student and provider levels, and recently begun documenting its role in improving patient safety and care outcomes.鈥�

An educator for 18 years, Anderson was an early pioneer in the adoption of simulation in healthcare academic settings. Her research in the field has been widely published and presented both nationally and internationally. She is one of 35 advanced certified healthcare-simulation educators in the world – three are on faculty at the college.

Anderson joined 麻豆原创 in 2015 and serves as director of the Nursing and Healthcare Simulation Program. She is also a fellow of the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education, and a longstanding member of both the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning, which recently honored her with an Excellence in Academia Award.

Earlier this year, Anderson was one of 56 nurse educators selected to participate in the highly competitive LEAD program from the National League for Nursing to mentor and develop effective nurse leaders. In fall 2017, she was awarded a Fulbright Specialist scholarship to assist in the development and integration of simulation at a nursing school in Thailand.

Her other service in the field includes serving as a reviewer for the National League for Nursing鈥檚 Nursing Education Perspectives journal and Clinical Simulation in Nursing. Additionally, she is associate editor for the international journal Simulation & Gaming and serves on the editorial board of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare鈥檚 Simulation in Healthcare journal.

The annual award recognizes educators who have demonstrated flexibility, creativity and innovation in simulation-based education that has achieved positive outcomes for students and faculty. Anderson received the award at the 2018 INACSL Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The INACSL is a global community of more than 2,000 industry leaders, educators and researchers dedicated to transforming practice to improve patient safety through excellence in health care simulation.

鈥淒r. Anderson excels in all the roles of academia: teaching, research and service,鈥� said Susan K. Chase, professor at the college. 鈥淗er thoughtful and creative simulations for a nurse practitioner course have enhanced learning, with students exceeding the national average on the board certification exam and earning a 100 percent pass rate. She has also been instrumental in the development of our innovative graduate simulation program.鈥�

鈥淗er enthusiastic personality transcends global boundaries,鈥� added Desiree A. D铆az, assistant professor at the college. 鈥淚n addition to leading successful simulation programs at the University of Texas at Arlington and now 麻豆原创, she recently completed a Fulbright Specialist program in Thailand where she assisted a nursing school in establishing simulation standards of best practice.鈥�

Anderson is one of the foremost experts in health care simulation education, among just 28 in the world who have earned advanced certification in the field 鈥� three are on faculty at the college. An educator for 18 years, Anderson was an early pioneer in the adoption of simulation in health care academic settings. Her research has been widely published and presented both nationally and internationally.

On faculty at 麻豆原创 since 2015, Anderson is currently director of the Nursing and Health Care Simulation Program, the first and only program of its kind in the state of Florida to prepare leaders in the rapidly growing field. She is also part of an interdisciplinary team developing novel learning and training scenarios associated with an innovative and patented physical-virtual patient simulator developed at 麻豆原创.

She is a fellow of the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education, and a longstanding member of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the INACSL. In addition, Anderson is a reviewer for the National League for Nursing鈥檚 Nursing Education Perspectives journal and Clinical Simulation in Nursing, is associate editor for the international journal Simulation & Gaming and serves on the editorial board of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare鈥檚 Simulation in Healthcare journal.

This is the second excellence award Anderson has received from INACSL. In 2011, she was awarded the Excellence in Research Award. This is also the second consecutive year that the Excellence in Academia Award was bestowed to a faculty member at 麻豆原创. D铆az received the award in 2017.

鈥淰ery few, if any, universities in the country have the same level of advanced educators on faculty,鈥� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. 鈥淚t demonstrates our commitment to advance health care through excellence in research, education and ultimately, patient safety.鈥�

An educational leader, the College of Nursing has remained at the forefront of the health care simulation industry. In recent years, leveraging its location in Orlando at the epicenter for modeling, simulation and training, the college has recruited nationally renowned experts to its faculty and created the state鈥檚 first and only Health Care Simulation graduate program.

One of the nation鈥檚 largest universities, 麻豆原创 is recognized nationally for its innovation. At the College of Nursing, its faculty are actively engaged in research in the field of simulation and technology. Current funded projects include a patented new simulated patient, an interactive 鈥�game鈥� to help older patients with cancer and a simulated learning experience to enhance nurses鈥� readiness to practice.

The Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced (CHSE-A) certification from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare is awarded to leaders in health care simulation who have demonstrated a high level of expertise. Individuals must already have a CHSE (Certified Health Care Simulation Educator) certification, which is awarded after passing a comprehensive exam demonstrating specialized knowledge, skills and abilities in simulation education, and submit a portfolio highlighting their research, applied work and accomplishments in the field. Of the more than 1,200 CHSE, only an elite group of 28 have earned an advanced certification.

Anderson, an associate professor, and D铆az, an assistant professor, joined the faculty in 2015 and earned their advanced certification in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Gonzalez, director of simulation at the College of Nursing and a clinical associate professor, has been on faculty since 2011 and achieved her CHSE-A in February 2018.

The National League for Nursing (NLN) established the Academy of Nursing Education in 2007 to foster excellence by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of nurse educators who have made significant contributions to nursing education. Fellows provide leadership in nursing education and in the academy, and support the vision of the NLN to promote standards of excellence in nursing education. In addition, fellows serve as important role models and resources for both new educators and for those who aspire to become nurse educators. With the 29 outstanding individuals in the ninth class of inductees, academy membership now totals 216. Mindi Anderson, an associate professor in the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing, is also a fellow.

鈥淭he National League for Nursing relies on these accomplished individuals as allies in聽our efforts to address the聽ongoing shortage of nurses and nurse educators,鈥� said Beverly A. Malone, NLN CEO. 鈥淣urse faculty and colleagues from other fields who contribute to excellence in nursing education and to the preparation of a nursing workforce that advances the health of the nation and global community deserve this public recognition and gratitude of all who are eager to elevate the status of the profession.鈥�

As a newly named fellow, Howe has been lauded for her innovative teaching and learning strategies. She is the creator of The Village, a unique, case-based approach to teaching pharmacology that engages students, increases understanding of content and encourages self-discovery. Furthermore, this teaching method is affordable and can be easily adapted to other subjects, such as health promotion and medical-surgical nursing. As a result, it is currently in use in more than 70 schools in the U.S. and her article in Nursing Education Perspectives has been downloaded 222 times.

Howe also uses the book 鈥淭he Other End of the Stethoscope鈥� to teach nursing values. Written by a man who was blinded and catastrophically injured at age 18, the book documents his experiences in the health care system. It helps students see things from a patient鈥檚 perspective, and teaches ethics, caring and patient education. She has presented her findings on this method at the NLN and several other venues.

鈥淚 am extremely proud of Dr. Howe鈥檚 innovative contributions to nursing education that have not only benefited our own Knight nurses, but have made a positive impact among nursing students nationwide,鈥� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. 鈥淗er creativity in teaching complex issues increases student engagement, and fosters skills for lifelong learning. She is well-deserving of this national honor.鈥�

Linda Howe, PhD, RN, CNS, CNE, has been an undergraduate associate professor at the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing for three years. Her research interests include nursing and institutional history, nursing education strategies, pharmacogenomics, and deep tissue injury prevention and healing. In her 30-year academic career, Howe has served in various faculty and leadership roles at universities and colleges in Maryland, South Carolina and Florida. She began and spent most of her nursing career in acute and critical care. She has received multiple awards for teaching excellence throughout her career.

An active member in local and national nursing professional organizations, Howe recently served on the NLN Board of Governors for two terms and currently serves as president-elect of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Theta Epsilon Chapter. Howe is also a member of the editorial board for Nursing Education Perspectives and reviewer for Journal of Nursing Education. She earned her PhD from the University of South Carolina, MA in Education from The Citadel, MSN from Texas Woman鈥檚 University and BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington.

In addition to supporting 麻豆原创 Knight nurses in the classroom and as a mentor, Howe, together with her husband John, recently established a scholarship to support future NICU nurses. The Elizabeth Marie Howe Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship was created in memory of their daughter who passed away after only a few short days of life.

The fellowships have been awarded by the NLN Board of Governors, the oversight body of the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. In a competitive application process, the Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel evaluates applicant contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy that advances nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships.

Growing the university鈥檚 faculty is one of the key priorities for 麻豆原创 over the next several years. Of the new and transitioning personnel, a majority are serving in new roles within the college while others are filling open positions to replace retired or departing professors.

鈥淣urses, in particular those with baccalaureate degrees or higher, are in high demand throughout the country,鈥� said Dr. Mary Lou Sole, dean at the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. 鈥淥ur new faculty members will not only help us meet growing demand for our programs, but help make critical advancements in health care by expanding our research areas including the fields of simulation, gerontology and acute care. We鈥檙e excited to bring these new experts to 麻豆原创 and pleased to continue to leverage the expertise of our existing faculty.鈥�

New ranked faculty members include:

Faculty members transitioning to a new ranked position include:

In addition to these 10 new and transitioning ranked faculty, the college has added six new instructors/lecturers to the undergraduate department, including Carol Burgunder, Chris Deatrick, Nancy Duckworth, Dr. Enitan Ekwotafia, Dr. Frances Iacobellis and Dr. Cherrill Stockmann.