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SimStars by Pocket Nurse

What is Sim Stars?

We created Sim Stars to honor and congratulate the exceptional educators in our network. It's a chance to highlight the hard work of the simulation superstars that we have the pleasure of working with and serving every day. Every month, we choose a Sim Star and share their story and simulation tips with like-minded educators through our social media channels. You can read about past honorees below, or make a nomination today!

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Nominate a Sim Star!

Our Most Recent SIM Stars

narciso gonzales

Narciso Gonzales

Narciso is a Simulation Operations Specialist at Concordia University Austin, Texas with Orbis Education. He is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) and has a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology. He has been in clinical simulations for over six years and has been highly impactful along the way.

Narciso has multiple accolades, but his most remarkable is his 2021 IMSH SimVentors ECMO manikin submission being awarded for best approach. He constantly makes sure to take time out of his schedule to network and mentor others within the industry. He often comes up with unique solutions such as an improvised ECMO trainers, creative moulage videos, and more.

A quote that Narciso likes to use is "Failure in simulation is a chance to be better where it really counts." A tip that gives to other simulation teachers is to never accept the boundaries of simulation...those are walls waiting to be broken down.  Thank you for being a Sim Star Narciso!

Sam McCormack SIM star

Sam McCormack

Sam is a Technical Specialist in Clinical Simulation at Brunel University London in the United Kingdom. She has been working in skills and simulation in Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied health programs for over a decade. She has a Master of Science in Medical and Healthcare Simulation, is the first Technician to be a National Executive Committee member of the Association of Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH), and leads on all things technical including Technicians professional registration with The Science Council.

Sam is a multi-award-winner, including being a former winner of the Student Nursing Times Award (SNTA) in the innovation category for the Dementia Simulation in 2018, and, in 2019 was named in the top 100 individuals in the United Kingdom whose work at universities is saving lives and making a life-changing difference to health and wellbeing. Sam has most recently been awarded ASPiH Accreditation and is also the first simulation technician to be awarded Chartered Scientist recognition.

Her number one tip to other educators is that a "blame free culture needs to be encouraged continuously". Her passion and innovation in teaching are unmatched and that is why we would like to thank Sam for being a #SIMStar!

Johnny Cartwright

Johnny Cartwright

Johnny is the Associate Director of Simulation at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the Department of Anesthesia.  He has been involved in simulation for eight years. Johnny looks to instruct using creative and new solutions, whether that is with technology, trainers, or modifications to manikins...if it meets learning objectives, he will get it done!  He is an active member of IU community message boards and even creates video demonstrations on moulage. Johnny is an overall great resource for the IU community.  When asked what his number one simulation tip was for fellow educators, Johnny said, “My number one tip to fellow simulation educators would be to always BE CURIOUS!”

Thank you for being a #SimStar, Johnny Cartwright!

Beau Christian

Beau Christian

Beau Christian is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Carson-Newman University where he teaches Nursing Fundamentals, leads the nursing department social media, and is the SIM Coordinator. He has worked as a Pediatric and Adult Level 1 Trauma Emergency Room Nurse and is also licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Through SIM he looks to create realistic environments for his students to perfect their skills.

Beau says that “SIM is the place to make mistakes. I hope through SIM to facilitate growing a students’ confidence while also developing their efficient and safe care.”

He enjoys when students have that “Eureka!” moment in the lab, but he also makes sure to embrace the struggle. He says, “Struggling in the SIM lab is an opportunity to come alongside students to support their self-efficacy and problem-solving abilities, while growing their epistemology and worldviews, which students can then draw upon in future situations.  Beau is currently pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to further his dedication to the craft.