International Expert on Simulation Education to Keynote IU School of Nursing Faculty Event

Keynote speaker Jay K. Ober

INDIANAPOLIS – Jay K. Ober, PhD(c), APRN, BC, CCRN, CFRN, CEN, the Director of the International Academy for Clinical Simulation and Research at the University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, Florida will make the keynote address entitled, “Integrating Patient Simulation into Nursing Education: An Innovative Approach to Patient Safety” during the School’s Mary E. Culbertson Symposium. The IU School of Nursing (IUSON) will host nursing faculty from all eight IUSON campuses around the state on Monday, August 21, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the campus of IUPUI.

An internationally renowned leader in the field of simulation education, Ober has designed the world’s first academic and research center in patient simulation for healthcare educators, which will rank among the nation’s finest facilities designed for the unique needs of nursing and health science education today. Patient simulation, which has its roots in the aviation industry, has emerged in recent years as a vital tool for educating nurses and other healthcare professionals that will enable these professionals to improve their clinical skills in a real-world environment.

Ober was the former Director of Simulation Education and Training for Laerdal Medical, as well as former Manager of Emergency Medicine and Simulation Specialist at Holyoke Medical Center in Massachusetts. He holds an Associate’s degree in Science and Nursing from Springfield Technical Community College; a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Nursing from the University of Massachusetts; and, a Master's degree in Science and Nurse Practitioner from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Additionally, Ober has completed his course work in the Doctoral program at the University of Massachusetts, and is currently conducting research that will further improve the decision-making ability and patient safety by means of patient simulation.

Ober received the Distinguished Alumni Award in May 2003 from Springfield Technical Community College for his career achievements and work with simulation to improve patient safety and nursing education. He has also received recognition from the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command for his outstanding management of the Aircrew Training program and the use of patient simulation to improve the performance of flight crews. In April, 2006, Ober received the Distinguished/Outstanding Alumni Award from Ball State University for his career achievements and contribution to nursing education.

Pamela R. Jeffries

In addition, Pamela R. Jeffries, DNS, RN, FAAN, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and IUSON’s simulation education expert, will also make two presentations entitled, “Innovation Under Construction: Designing and Testing a Simulation Framework for Nursing Education.” With over 20 years of teaching experience in the classroom, learning laboratory, and clinical setting with undergraduate and graduate nursing students, Jeffries is leading nursing faculty across the country in determining the most effective ways to teach students clinical skills. Consequently, she was selected by the National League of Nursing (NLN) and the Laerdal Medical Corporation to head a multi-site study to develop and test the effectiveness of various simulated teaching models, such as CD-ROMs and life support training devices. Jeffries earned a BSN degree from Ball State University, where she received the 2005 Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award, and earned both MSN and DNS degrees from IU.

The Symposium is made possible through the generosity of Mary E. Culbertson, graduate of IUSON in 1934 (GN). Culbertson was committed to promoting opportunities for lifelong learning, faculty development and support of cross-campus collaboration.

To learn more about the IU School of Nursing, visit http://nursing.iupui.edu/.