Posts by nskillman | Today at Elon | �þ��

Elon celebrates Simulation in Healthcare Week Sep. 15–19

nskillman — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:29:34 +0000

�þ��’s Interprofessional Simulation Center will celebrate Simulation in Healthcare Week from Sept. 15–19.

This national celebration recognizes the power of simulation in preparing healthcare professionals for real-world practice in a safe, supportive environment.
Simulation is an integral part of the curriculum for the nursing, physical therapy and physician assistant studies programs, creating hands-on, interactive learning that builds confidence, competence and collaboration.

“Simulation has helped to create an organic experience of treating real life patients, with helpful feedback from professors regarding how to improve treatment,” said student Jared D. Smith. “This feedback and hands-on treatment can’t be replaced by treating a professor or a PT student, as these patients are outside the world of physical therapy and therefore have better insights into what it means to be treated by physical therapy. Simulated particpants have been instrumental in my formation of becoming a physical therapist and I am grateful for all events that have been organized by the simulation lab.

Elon School of Health Sciences Interprofessional Simulation Center

Simulation across health sciences

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Nursing students practice everything from basic skills to advanced clinical decision-making through task trainers, high-fidelity simulators and simulated participants (SPs). These realistic experiences allow them to learn in a safe, controlled environment.

Physical Therapy (PT)
PT students engage in clients-to-class activities that bring real-world rehabilitation scenarios into the classroom. These experiences help students refine communication, therapeutic techniques, and patient-centered care strategies.

Physician Assistant (PA) Studies
PA students benefit from high-fidelity simulators, task trainers for procedures and SP encounters for history-taking and physical exams. These immersive experiences prepare them for high-pressure clinical situations and teamwork in healthcare settings.

Two physician assistant studies students practicing their IV skills using a task trainer.

The Power of Simulation

The Interprofessional Simulation Center uses a range of simulation modalities to enhance learning:

Task Trainers for procedural practice
High-Fidelity Simulators for complex patient scenarios
Simulated Participants (SPs) for communication and reasoning
Clients-to-Class for authentic patient perspectives
Student voices matter!

Perspectives from simulated participants

Three students from the School of Health Sciences in an interprofessional simulation, practicing working together to mobilize a patient.

“What impresses me most about being a simulated participant at Elon is the caliber of the students. Without exception, these are young people who work to apply their smarts and talents to something that is truly commendable: helping others,” said one of the simulated participants. “In a world where the young and talented have so many career paths to choose from (many that don’t entail the indebtedness that healthcare training does), the commitment of these students should be celebrated.”

“Many times I’ve sat in rooms as a student will probe, investigate, actively listen, and counsel,” said Paul Newell, one of the simulated participants. “It’s clear they are seeking to become problem solvers, along with the patient, to find the best healthcare outcomes they can. As a person in his 70s, I can honestly say that if we’re turning the world over to young people like these, we’re going to be okay.”

“Working with students is so very rewarding. I’ve been a healthcare provider all my adult life. I trained medics in the military. I’ve also been involved in performance and theater for many years. So, working with students as a simulated patient gives me the chance to use my past experiences and hopefully contribute to their training and growth as future practitioners,” said John Collier, one of the simulated participants.

Mid-Level Professionals Institute 2025-26 cohort kicks off with energizing summer retreat

nskillman — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:43:05 +0000

2025-26 MLPI Cohort during their June retreat

The 2025-26 cohort of Elon’s Mid-Level Professionals Institute (MLPI) launched their yearlong leadership journey with a dynamic two-day summer retreat on June 17 and 18. Centered on the theme “Learning Toward: Leadership & Followship,” the retreat brought together mid-level professionals from across the university to explore core leadership competencies, deepen their understanding of higher education culture, and foster a strong sense of community among participants.

Held over two full days, the retreat offered a thoughtfully curated agenda of professional development sessions, team-building activities and strategic planning. It also marked the official start of a transformative experience designed to support mid-level staff as they grow in their roles and contribute meaningfully to Elon’s mission.

The objective of the Mid-Level Professionals Institute (MLPI) is to provide resources, individual and group professional development and a supportive cohort of colleagues for 16-20 mid-level staff members across the university. MLPI learning and development focuses on topics relevant to participants’ current roles as well as the development of strategies for future professional growth and advancement.

A Powerful Launch: Day One

The retreat began with a warm welcome from MLPI coordinators Vicki Blocker and Nita Skillman, who introduced the cohort to the purpose and structure of the MLPI program. The group also had the opportunity to meet Melissa Clodfelter, associate vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer, who shared her vision for leadership development at Elon.

Jim Piatt, senior vice president for advancement and external affairs, presents “Elon from a 50,000-Foot View,” during the MLPI summer retreat on June 16.

The morning continued with a strategic overview of the university, as Jim Piatt, senior vice president for advancement and external affairs, presented “Elon from a 50,000-Foot View,” helping participants understand the broader institutional context in which they lead. Lauren Bosselait followed with an engaging session focused on uncovering and utilizing personal strengths as a foundation for leadership.

After a collegial lunch, the afternoon turned toward introducing key competencies that will guide the cohort’s learning throughout the academic year. Participants explored five essential focus areas:

University Decision-Making, Politics, and Culture (facilitated by Kirsten Carrier)
Wellness and Well-Being (facilitated by Charlotte Williams)
Inclusive Excellence (facilitated by Kathy Ziga)
Mentoring (facilitated by Deandra Little)
Leadership and Followship (faciliated Pat Donohue)

These introductions set the stage for deeper engagement on the second day. Before wrapping up, participants took part in an interactive team-building activity led by Vicki and Nita, sparking collaboration and fun. The day concluded with a relaxed social featuring light appetizers and refreshments, an opportunity for the new cohort to connect informally and begin building lasting professional relationships.

The 2025-26 cohort of Elon’s Mid-Level Professionals Institute (MLPI) launched their yearlong leadership journey with a two-day summer retreat on June 17 and 18.

Deep Dives and Looking Ahead: Day Two

Day two built on the momentum of the first, starting with a reflective debrief and transitioning into a series of deep-dive sessions on each of the five core competencies. With each topic facilitated by the respective expert, participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, self-assessment and practical exercises designed to enhance their leadership practice.

Highlights included:

Understanding the nuances of university decision-making and organizational politics
Prioritizing wellness and self-care as a component of sustainable leadership
Advancing inclusive excellence and equity-minded leadership strategies
Embracing the importance of mentorship in career development
Exploring the dynamic between leadership and followship and how both are critical in higher education

The retreat also offered ample time for small group formation and planning, helping to structure peer learning and support throughout the coming year. The retreat concluded with a session on administrative planning, key dates and “what’s next” for the MLPI journey.

A Cohort Poised for Impact

The energy, engagement and camaraderie evident throughout the retreat reflected the enthusiasm of this year’s MLPI cohort. As they prepare to dive into a year of development and discovery, participants leave the retreat grounded in shared purpose, equipped with new tools, and connected to a cross-campus network of peers.

Elon’s commitment to cultivating leadership at every level is exemplified through MLPI—and the 2025-26 cohort is off to an exceptional start.

To learn more about the Mid-Level Professionals Institute, visit the website.

Interprofessional Simulation Center at Elon receives accreditation

nskillman — Fri, 24 May 2024 10:55:50 +0000

Nita Skillman is the director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center (IPSC), which includes Simulation Coordinator Bethany Fearnow and Simulation Specialist Angel Hernandez. Both the director and simulation coordinator are Certified Healthcare Educators as granted by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

The dynamic team of simulationists worked hard to develop programmatic policies and procedures aligned with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Best Practices. These best practices ensure quality, safety and exude �þ�� and learning excellence. The center serves primarily these educational disciplines, including physician assistant, physical therapy, and nursing.

On April 15, the IPSC team welcomed the Society for Simulation in Healthcare site visitors for a day of site evaluation. The visit comprised reviewing documentation and in-depth interviews with Elon School of Health Sciences leadership, faculty and students. During the day, the site visitors previewed the Interprofessional Simulation Center’s daily operations, assessed competencies, standards and ongoing improvement of educational activities. The day concluded with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare site visitors highlighting the strong sense of commitment to the psychological safety of the learners and standardized patients during simulation activities. They also highlighted the evidence of strong support from Society for Simulation in Healthcare leadership.

The Interprofessional Simulation Center houses five buckets of simulation modalities. The five modalities include standardized patients, task trainers, medical mannequins, clients-to-class, and the exploration of mixed reality. Each modality is selected based on the learning objectives, the level of fidelity needed to reach clinical realism, and the ability to bring the textbook to life.

On May 17, the IPSC team received verification from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare that they had been awarded full accreditation in the area of Teaching/Education by demonstrating regular, recurring simulation educational activities with clearly stated objectives and by providing evidence of ongoing improvement of education activities. The accreditation also included meeting the SSH Core Standards and criteria of seven sections, including Mission & Governance, Program Management, Resource Management, Human Resources, Program Improvement, Ethics, and Expanding the Field.

This makes the IPSC the ninth simulation center in North Carolina to receive full accreditation. Receiving full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare signifies the IPSC’s commitment to excellence in simulation education and elevates the center to national recognition. The spotlight increases visibility among simulation centers, attracting learners, faculty/staff, and funding opportunities.

School of Health Sciences celebrates FRANsgiving

nskillman — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 18:25:30 +0000

The School of Health Sciences hosted its first FRANsgiving (named for the Francis Center, home to the school) during lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 15. �þ��, staff and faculty came together as a community to eat and enjoy fellowship with one another.

The tables were decorated with paper, allowing for interaction, including drawings and writing things you are most thankful for. The school provided the turkey while students, staff, and faculty brought their favorite dish to share. Some of the dish highlights included mac and cheese, Italian subs, cocktail samosas, and broccoli casserole. The desserts feasted upon included apple pie, cookies, key lime pie, and pumpkin dip.

While enjoying the meal, laughter could be heard across the building and smiles were seen all around. The School of Health Sciences is already looking forward to its next FRANsgiving together!

The Interprofesional Simulation Center at Elon celebrates simulation in health care

nskillman — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:18:19 +0000

Manikin in the Interprofessional Simulation Center at the �þ�� School of Health Sciences.

Each year, simulation centers worldwide pause to celebrate the experiential learning experiences offered through several different simulation modalities. This year’s theme is “.”

The Interprofessional Simulation Center (IPSC) at Elon offers five different simulation modalities: standardized patients, medical mannequins, task trainers, mixed reality and clients-to-class. While each modality is delivered in multiple ways and combinations, they all provide a hands-on learning experience for our students in nursing, physician assistant studies and physical therapy.

“Standardized patients, with their diverse backgrounds and personal healthcare experiences, bring a unique perspective to our learning journey. They not only challenge us to think critically but also remind us of the human element in healthcare, reinforcing the importance of treating each patient with dignity and respect,” said Physician Assistant candidate Catie Ingland G’24

Samantha Vaz ’24, an ABSN student, said she loves the standardized patients that come in to help the students learn.

The Interprofessional Simulation Center at the Francis Center, home to Elon’s School of Health Sciences.

“Being in the nursing world it is very important to have therapeutic communication and being able to practice this skill. I learn best when I can talk to a real human, and they are able to give me feedback on what I need to work on. The standardized patients come in and make the scenario seem so real which is super helpful for me,” Vaz said.

Nita Skillman, director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center, and Bethany Fearnow, simulation coordinator, are both certified simulation educators and have devoted their careers to bringing medical textbooks to life.

The center staff enjoy watching the novice learners work through health care scenarios, advancing their knowledge to reach clinical readiness. The center is also seeking accreditation with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in order to gain national recognition of the center’s work and uphold simulation best practices.

Elon School of Health Sciences hosts experiential learning activity on treating cardiovascular conditions

nskillman — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 16:07:26 +0000

Participants in the experiential learning activity using virtual reality during the seminar.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, registered nurses, student nurses and community members from surrounding counties participated in an active learning course entitled “Cardiac Assessment: It’s a Matter of the Heart.”

During this event, guest lecturers Marc Cook of North Carolina A&T University and Elon Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Education Monica Zimmerman presented current trends in cardiac physiology and demonstrated anatomical structures of the heart.

Participants of the active learning course practice working with a patient.

The four-hour course began with a didactic lecture followed by an anatomy observation of the heart. Participants also experienced cardiac case studies utilizing standardized patients and medical mannequins. The workshop concluded with the application of learned skills through virtual reality testing and clinical debriefing by Associate Professor Tiffany Morris, chair of the Department of Nursing.

Participants of the seminar practice with a life-size mannikin.

Nita Skillman, director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center, described the event as “highly interactive and engaging.” She also noted that the highlight of the event included several modalities of simulation, which provided participants with a variety of learning strategies to meet course objectives. Supporting the technological learning activities was Simulation Coordinator Bethany Fearnow, who described the event as “the epitome of simulation pedagogy…. the textbook coming to life.”

A Greensboro Area Health Education Centers participant said, “I have been to a lot of continuing education classes/seminars during my 34-year nursing career. This was the best one I have ever attended. It was such an eye-opening experience and exceeded my expectations. Looking forward to the next one.”

The School of Health Sciences celebrates the role of simulation in improving healthcare delivery

nskillman — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:00:00 +0000

�þ�� in the �þ�� School of Health Sciences come face to face with clients and simulated patients almost from day one.

Whether they are delivering Noel, a medical mannequin’s, baby, responding to a pulmonary embolism in an intensive care “patient”, or observing mobility milestones while playing “Simon Says” with a toddler, graduate students in physical therapy and physician assistant studies have repeated opportunities to grow their clinical skills using simulations throughout their classroom education at Elon.

“Simulations are about giving our students a safe learning experience—safe to take risks and to make mistakes,” says Client & Standardized Patient Program Director Nita Skillman.

During the week of Sept. 11-14, the school will join others in the health care world in celebrating the role that simulation plays in helping to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of healthcare delivery. Healthcare Simulation Week is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Simulation.

Skillman came to Elon in 2012 charged with the task of creating the Client & Standardized Patient Program to jointly serve the Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate programs. Since then, the program has flourished.

Last year alone, the Client & Standardized Patient Program logged about 90 hours of client participation and nearly 1,000 hours of standardized patient encounters. Standardized patients are actors trained to portray specific patient scenarios. With in-depth preparation, these actors are able to provide consistent experiences for all students across the board as well as individualized feedback making encounters ideal for both clinical skill practice for students and faculty evaluation of student performance.

“I can’t imagine starting my clinical year of PA school without all our standardized patient experiences,” said Christa Hubert PA ’19.

�þ�� also practice their skills in the classroom with actual clients – local members of the community representing a wide variety of ages and health conditions. Client interactions range from patient-centered interviewing to physical examination and treatment. “We’ve brought in clients as young as two weeks old, and I think our oldest client so far was 96,” Skillman said.

With the school’s state-of-the-art camera equipment and software, most simulation and in-class client interactions can be captured digitally with the option of linking rubrics and inserting feedback notes directly into the recording. “Standardized patient experiences are a phenomenal asset for our PA students,” asserts Melissa Murfin, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Stephen Folger, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy Education, offers his insights about the role simulations play in the curriculum. “We strive to give our students opportunities every day to apply what they’re learning and to practice clinical decision making, from paper cases all the way to clinical internships,” he said. “Bringing in actual clients and creating challenging standardized patient scenarios adds a vital level of realism to the student learning process.”

“It’s really different when you work on someone with a real problem instead of just your lab partner who’s trying to pretend to have a limitation,” recalls Julie Hibberd ’16, DPT ’19. “I was really nervous the first time because I felt like I had just started learning. I didn’t think I knew as much as I did. But once I got going, it all started coming together.”

Rheadon Remy PA ’18 echoes those sentiments. “The first time I walked into a real patient’s room,” he confides, “I was so nervous! But within 30 seconds, I realized it was no different from what I’d been trained to expect from my Elon experiences with standardized patients.”

“The program brings an essential piece to our students’ education that a textbook simply can’t,” says Tracy Thurnes, the Physician Assistant Studies Program’s assistant director of clinical education.

Skillman, however, is always dreaming of new and bigger possibilities for Elon’s Client & Standardized Patient program. “The use of standardized patients isn’t just for health care,” she is quick to point out. “Any educational endeavor that involves human interaction can benefit from simulated experiences.”

School of Health Sciences hosts NC Standardized Patient Training Day

nskillman — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:50:00 +0000

The School of Health Sciences hosted the inaugural North Carolina Standardized Patient (SP) Training Day on Saturday, March 14. Standardized Patients are individuals trained to portray medical cases for students to provide a realistic experience within a safe learning environment.

Both the departments of Physician Assistant Studies and Physical Therapy Education utilize Standardized Patients within their respected curricula. The event was a compilation of four SP programs within central North Carolina, dedicated to preparing SPs for the ever changing needs of medical education.

This year the four participating programs and their directors/staff were:

Nita Skillman, �þ�� School of Health Sciences
Kelly Branford, Duke University School of Medicine
Dan Sipp, Duke University School of Medicine
Lormarev Jones, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Meredith Phillips, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Sixty-five Standardized Patients from around the state attended the training day that was composed of each SP participating in three different sessions.

The sessions included Professionalism, Giving Student Feedback and Preparing for the Non-Medical Aspect of Your Role. Following the training sessions a lunch was provided in which everyone was encouraged to network among their colleagues and the different programs represented.

The day was considered a success by all and is hoped to be an annual event.

Free physical therapy screening for faculty, staff, and students

nskillman — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Elon Faculty/employees and students that need a physical therapy consult can participate (for free). This is a great opportunity so please take advantage.

Nita Skillman, from the School of Health Sciences, will be scheduling individuals for available slots beginning April 16 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are interested, please call her at ext. 6858 to get an appointment. The time slots will fill up quickly so don’t wait.

If you have any medical/physical therapy exam questions or the appropriateness for an evaluation, please feel free to e-mail Daryl Lawson at dlawson3@elon.edu.

Free physical therapy screenings this spring for Elon employees

nskillman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:36:00 +0000

Free Physical Therapy Screening

DPT students (Year III/final year) will be evaluating people who have musculoskeletal problems every Tuesday and Thursday, from 9-12 & 1-4 in the Gerald Francis Center. Elon Faculty/employees and students that need a physical therapy consult can participate (for free). This is a great opportunity so please take advantage!

Nita Skillman, from the School of Health Sciences, will be scheduling individuals for available slots beginning April 16th on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are interested, please call her at ext. 6858 to get an appointment. The time slots will fill up quickly so don’t wait.

If you have any medical/physical therapy exam questions or the appropriateness for an evaluation, please feel free to e-mail me at dlawson3@elon.edu

Thank you,
Daryl Lawson, PT, DSc

Posts by nskillman | Today at Elon | �þ���