VHA SimLEARN
VHA Simulation Expert Presents Keynote at Midwest Simulation Conference
By David J. Adriansen, Ed.D, NREMT, CHSE
VISN 23 Simulation Program Director
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The HealthPartners Clinical Simulation and Learning Center at Region’s Hospital in St Paul, Minnesota held their annual Simulation Conference Sept. 27-28. This 2-day conference provides an annual opportunity for Midwest Region simulationists to exchange information on simulation in both health care delivery and academic settings. Simulation educators, technologists and program administrators were able to have a forum to discuss current best practices and innovations in simulation.
A highlight this year was having Mary Holtschneider, simulation education coordinator at the Durham, North Carolina Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System as the keynote speaker. With over 25 years’ experience as a critical care nurse, Mary co-directs the Durham VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Clinical Simulation and is the nursing program manager for the Duke Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
Mary’s presentation, “Celebrate the Difference You Make: You Are Essential to The Team” emphasized the impact simulation educators make in patient care. As a cardiac arrest survivor, Mary shared her personal story of recovery and the impact each health care worker had in her resuscitation. Mary highlighted incorporating storytelling, gratitude and mindfulness as a personal plan for the attendees.
The conference ended with Mary and David Adriansen, VISN 23 Simulation Champion, joining four other subject matter experts, in facilitating an impactful panel discussion on interpersonal education.
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