LAC Staff

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

    MK.jpgSmith, 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
  • Wierenga, Christopher, MA

    Wierenga, Christopher

    SIMULATION OPERATIONS MANAGER

    cjw@msu.edu

    Mr. Wierenga serves as the Operations Manager for the Learning and Assessment Center. He is responsible for planning, implementing, managing, supervising and evaluating simulation activities in the center. Chris has worked in higher education for 12 years, with experience in various areas in student support and services, as well as program management.  He completed his Master of Arts degree in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education and Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at MSU. 

  • McGoron, Chelsea, BSN, RN

    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.

  • Dotson, Kathryn, BSN, RN

    Katie Dotson pic 2018Dotson, 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.

  • Dillivan, Carina, RN

    Dillivan, Carina, RN

    HEALTHCARE SIMULATION EDUCATOR

    dilliva3@msu.edu

    Ms. Dillivan 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 2021 as a healthcare professional and AHA instructor. 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.

  • Frost, Ashley, BSN, RN, ONC

    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.

  • Cherry, Michael

    Michael CherryCherry, 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.

  • Zwolensky, Donald

    Zwolensky, DonaldZwolensky, Donald
    Lead Simulation Technologist

    zwolens3@msu.edu

    Mr. Zwolensky serves as the 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 2018 bringing extensive knowledge in the field of IT and work station support

  • Furman, Bryce

    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

    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.

  • Gonzalez, Nicole

    Nicole GonzalezGonzalez, Nicole

    Simulation Technician

    Gonza752@msu.edu

    Ms. Gonzalez serves as the Simulation Technician at the Learning and Assessment Center.  Nicole provides expertise with regard to simulation needs including high fidelity simulators, partial task trainers, and clinical procedure set-up. Prior to working at the LAC, she gained over 15 years of experience as an Emergency Department Technician at a large fast-paced urban hospital.  Ms. Gonzalez also facilitates Basic Life Support courses as an American Heart Association BLS Instructor. Ms. Gonzalez has been at the LAC since 2017.

  • Rulison, Janet

    Rulison, Janet

    Simulation Event Coordinator

    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.

  • Deyarmond, Kendra

    Deyarmond, Kendra

    Office Assistant 

    deyarmk@msu.edu

     

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