Fellowship is a lifetime achievement award to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to simulation in scholarship, education and service. Konzelmann and Spears received the honor during the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) last week in Orlando.

The Society for Simulation in Healthcare is the largest healthcare simulation in the world, with more than 5,000 members in 60 countries, but less than 150 experts worldwide have received fellowship distinction. Konzelmann and Spears join two other fellows at 麻豆原创, nursing professors Mindi Anderson and Desiree D铆az.

Jason Konzelmann, College of Medicine

鈥淚 was truly honored to be able to be recognized by my peers in the simulation community and the people to whom I have looked up to and learned from,鈥� Konzelmann says. 鈥淭o be recognized as one of the leaders in simulation and a member of that fraternity is really quite humbling.鈥�

As director, Konzelmann leads 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Medicine that provides simulated experiences allowing medical students to get hands-on learning in patient interaction, suturing, ultrasounds and medical emergencies. The center works with trained standardized patients and computerized manikins, giving future physicians the opportunity to practice their clinical skills in a safe environment before working with real patients.

鈥淪imulation in healthcare allows the student to have the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the clinical space while in an environment where they are free to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes,鈥� he says. 鈥淪o, for us in simulation, whether we鈥檙e in an academic institution such as ours or we鈥檙e in a hospital-based setting, our main goal is improving patient safety and outcomes.鈥�

Konzelmann also works with faculty to develop simulation-based learning opportunities and help educators ensure that the students get the most out of the experience.

Konzelmann has been working with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare since 2013. He currently serves as chair of the society鈥檚 Best Practices Workshop Committee, which advocates for implementation of the best practices in simulation-based education through six online courses annually that have about 100 participants for each course.

He recently started the Assessment Affinity Group, which has the mission of promoting the development, dissemination and implementation of innovative and evidence-based assessment strategies to enhance the effectiveness and impact of healthcare simulation education and training.

鈥淕etting involved with the society has really helped me understand more about simulation,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving the network of people to ask a question or get an idea from or see where other schools are going helps us be at the top in simulation.鈥�

Syretta Spears, College of Nursing

Spears has helped lead the Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center at 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Nursing for nearly a decade. During that time, the STIM Center has earned two international endorsements for accreditations recognizing the high quality of simulation experiences, the expertise of faculty and staff, and the commitment to innovation.

At the , Spears facilitates more than 11,000 contact hours annually in simulation-based experiences for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Those experiences include interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative experiences, such as an 鈥淓scape Rescue Room鈥� that she created and has been presented and published nationally.

鈥淭hrough simulation, we are able to prepare students for clinical practice whether that is as registered nurses or nurse practitioners of varying specialties,鈥� Spears says. 鈥淪imulation education provides invaluable hands-on learning opportunities for students to develop and practice clinical, communication, and critical thinking skills in a safe, real-world environment.鈥�

Spears leads a team of experts to support faculty in successful simulation-based experiences at the college. That team collectively has 11 certifications of which Spears has two. She is a certified healthcare simulation educator and one of the first 25 experts in the world to become an advanced certified healthcare simulation operations specialist.

Her dedication to and impact on healthcare simulation extends beyond 麻豆原创. In the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, she serves as a certification reviewer in the simulation operations specialist advanced group and chair of the nominations committee for the Simulation Operations and Technology Section. She’s also a member of the Alliance for Workforce Identification in Simulation in Healthcare, which is advocating to establish U.S. Department of Labor Standard Occupational Classification codes for healthcare simulation professionals.

鈥淔or me, this honor is deeply personal as it is peer recognition on a global scale of my commitment to improving patient care and safety through innovation and educational excellence,鈥� Spears says. 鈥淚t is also more than a personal milestone, but a testament to the collective efforts and advancements in the healthcare simulation profession.鈥�

This fall, Spears will help oversee a milestone at the STIM Center with its move to the Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center at the new state-of-the-art Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on 麻豆原创鈥檚 Academic Health Sciences Campus.

But this year is different.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and during this unprecedented time we should all take assessment of our mental well-being and that of those close to us.

Living through a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic with so many uncertainties, people may unknowingly suffer trauma, mental anguish and heightened stress levels. In addition to the unknown physical effects this virus has on the human body, there could be lasting mental effects, as well.

At any given time these effects may arise, especially now that our country has been practicing social distancing, self-quarantining and abiding by shelter-in-place measures. With ever-changing health guidelines, alarming statistics, financial stressors and self-isolation measures, some people will encounter some form of emotional and mental distress or breakdown.

Everyone can use some practical tools that can be used to improve mental health and increase resiliency no matter the situation one may be facing.

With all these stressors, everyone can use some practical tools that can be used to improve mental health and increase resiliency no matter the situation one may be facing. In the midst of a pandemic, these tools may prove more useful than ever, even if simply to assess how you feel or to monitor those closest to you that may show signs of struggle.

For some with serious mental illness it鈥檚 imperative to seek assistance or continue to monitor their current state of well-being. More prone to chronic diseases, these individuals cannot risk further physical distress in light of the virus lurking among us.

We are also reminded that depression, a mental health condition, is on the rise and affects many no matter the age or social status. During times of uncertainty, these conditions can lead to increased rates of suicide and feelings of despair.

As a sad reminder, a doctor responsible for the care of many coronavirus patients recently died by suicide. Having no known history of mental illness, she undoubtedly was under mental strain of being on the pandemic鈥檚 front line. I鈥檓 not saying that all front-line professionals are depressed or in some way mentally distressed or that all essential workers are in mental distress, but that everyone handles tragedy differently. Triggers for one may not be the same for another individual but this type of ordeal could certainly be the catalyst for some.

For individuals medically diagnosed as mentally ill 鈥� including children 鈥� it鈥檚 imperative that we stay observant to ensure those who need help will get it. Now more than ever, we should all be vigilant for symptoms of distress and doing all that we can to help save a life.

Mental Health Awareness Month is more essential than ever 鈥� and right on time this year. Organized annually, the event brings awareness to those living with mental illness or without. Mental Health Awareness Month is designed to help us recognize signs of distress, start those awkward conversations, and identify the appropriate professionals and resources to assist those who may be experiencing signs and symptoms. It also helps bring attention to suicide, which is often precipitated by mental illness. In addition, the month strives to remove the stigma and negative connotation associated with mental illness, which often prevents people in need from pursuing support and treatment.

With so many uncertainties these days we are all subject to physical and emotional stressors, which could lead to mental instability. Being cognizant of potential triggers and having resources and support available will help us all stay strong, healthy and resilient.

To those not feeling your best emotionally or mentally, there is no shame in seeking support.

To all essential workers and healthcare professionals, thank you for your dedication and service.

And to each and every one, stay safe and be well. We are all in this together 鈥� and brighter days are ahead.

Syretta Spears is assistant director of the 麻豆原创 Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center in the College of Nursing. She can be reached at Syretta.Spears@ucf.edu.

The聽麻豆原创 Forum聽is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on 麻豆原创 Today and then broadcast on W麻豆原创-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the 麻豆原创.