LAC Staff

  • Smith, Mary Kay, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE, FSSH

    MK.jpg

    Smith, Mary Kay, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE, FSSH 

    Director

    mksmith@msu.edu

    Dr. Smith currently serves as the Director of the Learning and Assessment Center (LAC) and Assistant Professor. She holds a doctorate in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education Administration.  Dr. Smith is the current Chair of Accreditation for the International Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), Accreditation Reviewer, Team Leader and member of the SSH Directors’ Committee and IPE Committee.  She is also the Quality Assurance Chair for the American Heart Association Great Lakes Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, member of the Association for Standardized Patient Educators, SimGhost and Sigma Theta Tau International. 
    She has integrated multiple simulation methodologies into healthcare professional learning for 27 years including immersive clinical simulations, computer-assisted instruction, virtual reality, augmented reality and hybrid models. She has disseminated simulation knowledge at statewide, national and international workshops and conferences.
    Dr. Smith has been active in higher adult and lifelong education for many years as an educator.  Her clinical expertise includes 19 years in the Emergency Department, 3 years in ICU/CCU, 10 years in Clinical Education in combination with charge, supervision and management responsibilities in hospital settings
  • Dillivan, Carina, RN

    Carina Headshot

    Dillivan, Carina, RN

    Simulation Operations Manager

    dilliva3@msu.edu

    Ms. Dillivan serves as Operations Manager at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). She is responsible for planning, implementing, managing, supervising, and evaluating simulation activities in the center. She has worked at MSU for 20 years as a healthcare professional. She joined the LAC in 2021 as a Simulations Educator and AHA instructor. Carina completed her bachelor’s in business arts in Business Leadership. Carina has been a nurse since 1995 and is a graduate of Kettering College of Medical Arts. She has clinical experience in cardiology, endocrinology, internal medicine, and infectious disease.

  • Dotson, Kathryn, BSN, RN

    Katie Dotson pic 2018

    Dotson, Kathryn, BSN, RN

    Simulation Event and AHA Training Center Coordinator

    kdotson@msu.edu

    Ms. Dotson serves as a Simulation Event and AHA Training Center Coordinator for the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). She is responsible for the coordination and implementation of simulation events in the center. In addition, Katie provides oversight of the American Heart Association (AHA) training courses in her capacity of Training Center Coordinator. She completed her BSN from Michigan State University and joined the Learning and Assessment Center in 2018. She has been a nurse for 11 years with multiple clinical experiences including Medical-Surgical, OB/GYN, Urgent Care, Public Health, and Pediatrics.

  • McGoron, Chelsea, BSN, RN

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    McGoron, Chelsea, BSN, RN

    Healthcare Simulation Educator

    mcgoronc@msu.edu

    Mrs. McGoron serves as a Simulation Educator at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). She is responsible for the development, planning, and implementation of simulation events in the center including standardized patient encounters, immersive clinical simulation, off-site in situ simulation, and American Heart Association (AHA) training courses. She has worked at the LAC since 2018 as a healthcare professional and AHA instructor. Chelsea has been a nurse since 2015 and is a graduate of Lansing Community College and Ferris State University. She has clinical experience in cardiology, neonatology, and endoscopy.

  • Frost, Ashley, BSN, RN, ONC

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    Frost, Ashley, BSN, RN, ONC

    HEALTHCARE SIMULATION EDUCATOR

    samhat@msu.edu

     

    Ms. Frost serves as a Simulation Educator at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). She is responsible for the development, planning, and implementation of simulation events in the center including standardized patient encounters, immersive clinical simulation, off-site in situ simulation, and American Heart Association (AHA) training courses. She has worked at the LAC since 2009 as a healthcare professional and AHA instructor. Ashley has been a nurse for 11 years and is a graduate of Lansing Community College and Grand Canyon University. She has clinical experience in Nursing Education, Medical Surgical Orthopedic and Rehabilitation.

  • Polentas, Kate, RN, BSN, CPN

    Polentas, Kate

    HEALTHCARE SIMULATION EDUCATOR

    gaykatie@msu.edu

    Mrs. Polentas serves as a Simulation Educator at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC) since 2022. She is responsible for the development, planning, and implementation of simulation events in the center including standardized patient encounters, immersive clinical simulation, off-site in situ simulation, and facilitation of American Heart Association (AHA) training courses. Kate graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University’s College of Nursing in 2011. After that, she spent six years as a Pediatric Bedside Nurse and then moved into Pediatric Nursing Leadership roles for five years.

  • Cherry, Michael

    Michael Cherry

    Cherry, Michael

    Standardized Patient Coordinator

    Cherrym8@msu.edu

    Mr. Cherry serves as the Standardized Patient Coordinator. He is responsible for Coordination and Recruitment of Standardized Patients, Oversees and participates in coordination and scheduling of SPs at the LAC.  He began working at the Center as a Standardized Patient in 2016. He has 5 years of working K-12 education and 21 years of experience in the Connecticut Judicial Department. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Southern Connecticut State University.

  • Rulison, Janet

    Janet Headshot

    Rulison, Janet

    Simulation Event Coordinator II

    rulison@msu.edu

    Mrs. Rulison serves a Simulation Event Assistant.  She is responsible for assisting and fully implementing simulation events, including set up, check in, moulage injuries for training purposes, time sheets, clean up, inventory, and stocking in all areas of the Learning and Assessment Center.  She began working at MSU 16 years ago as a Registered Medical Assistant working in MSU Family Medicine, MSU Breslin Cancer Center, and the MSU Orthospine Clinic.  Previously, she also worked outside of MSU in healthcare bringing her total years of medical assistant experience to a little over 27 years. She completed her education through Ross Medical School here in Lansing, Michigan.

  • Werner, Stacey

    Werner, Stacey

    Simulation Event Coordinator

    besseyst@msu.edu

  • Furman, Bryce

    Bryce Headshot

    Furman, Bryce

    Simulation Technology Specialist

    Furmanb1@msu.edu

    Mr. Furman serves as a Simulations Operation Technologist at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). He currently provides expertise related to simulation software integration and implementation, continuous customer support (e.g. students, faculty, staff) in addition to systems administration, hardware/software and network support. He began working at the LAC in 2021, bringing knowledge of simulation technology support he gained while working at Michigan State’s College of Nursing. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Information, where he gained 3 years of experience in desktop support while working as a student Info Tech Assistant. 

  • Napier, Mackenzie

    Mackenzie Headshot

    Napier, Mackenzie

    Simulation Technology Specialist

    napierm1@msu.edu

    Ms. Napier serves as a Simulations Operation Technologist at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). She currently provides expertise related to simulation software integration and implementation, continuous customer support (e.g. students, faculty, staff) in addition to systems administration, hardware/software and network support. She began working at the LAC in 2022, bringing knowledge of technology support she gained while working at the service desk for Michigan State and Spectrum Health. She graduated from Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Mathematics.

  • Kue, Chengj

    Cheng Headshot

    Kue, Chengj

    Simulation Technology Specialist

    kuecheng@msu.edu

    Mr. Cheng Kue serves as a Simulations Operation Technologist at the MSU Learning and Assessment Center (LAC). He currently provides expertise related to simulation software integration and implementation, continuous customer support (e.g. students, faculty, staff) in addition to systems administration, hardware/software and network support. He is currently enrolled at Lansing Community College, pursuing a degree in Computer Information Technologies / Network and Cybersecurity along with multiple certifications. He has 7 years of experience in troubleshooting warehouse management software, desktop, printer, and RF devices as well as project management.

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