Simulation Program
The Simulation for Pediatric Assessment, Resuscitation and Communication (SPARC) Program exists to educate multidisciplinary groups of pediatric clinicians in crisis teamwork skills, physiology and the delivery of difficult news to patients and families. Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists participate in these sessions.
Sessions are conducted in multiple locations around the hospital, including the Emergency Department and the “Just for Kids” Critical Care Center. A typical session starts with an introduction to the skills that will be needed for that particular situation. Critical events are simulated using one of two high-fidelity patient simulators. After each simulation, participants are debriefed by program faculty and given time to observe their performance via video recording. During this time they reflect on their actions and discuss development strategies to address any issues.
Family interactions are portrayed using standardized patients as part of the Program for the Approach to Complex Encounters (PACE), the communication skills arm of the SPARC Program. Here, clinicians learn important techniques for dealing with the delivery of difficult news to patients and their families. Video-assisted debriefing allows participants to deconstruct and reflect on their experiences, teaching them how to approach such conversations more effectively in the future.
The Simulation for Pediatric Assessment, Resuscitation and Communication (SPARC) Program continues to increase in size and scope. Kosair Children’s Hospital will soon be using the SPARC Program to provide educational outreach to local and regional emergency departments in order to improve the care of critically ill children and to enhance the delivery of education to families of medically fragile children.
Those interested in learning more about the program can contact Aaron Calhoun, M.D., at (502) 852-3720 or by e-mail (aaron.calhoun@louisville.edu). The simulation program is funded by the Children's Hospital Foundation.
In 2011 the SPARC program was one of two recipients of the Paul Weber Awards for Departmental Excellence in Teaching. This award is given annually by the University of Louisville to educational programs demonstrating exemplary curricular achievement, teaching, collaboration, and research.
January 2012 Program Faculty
Senior Advisors
Kimberly Boland, M.D.
Vicki Montgomery, M.D.
Director
Aaron Calhoun, M.D.
Nursing Director
Megan Boone, R.N., MSN, CCRN
Associate Director of Outreach Education
Melissa Porter, M.D.
Associate Director of Communication Skills Education
Eleanor Peterson, M.D.
Associate Director of Neonatal Education
Lori Devlin-Phinney, D.O.
SPARC Unit-based Educational Teams
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educators
Aaron Calhoun, M.D.
Melissa Porter, M.D.
- Nurse Simulation Educators
Megan Boone, R.N., MSN, CCRN
Becky Volz, R.N., CPN
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educators
Lori Devlin-Phinney, D.O.
Lia Gravari, M.D.
Derrick Rollo, D.O.
Rodica Turcu, M.D.
- Nurse Simulation Educators
Jodi Behr, MSN
Leanna Magner, R.N., BSN
April Sargent, R.N., BSN
Gerri Young, R.N., BSN, CPN
Emergency Department Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educators
Frederick Warkentine, M.D.
Megan Laniewics, M.D.
- Nurse Simulation Educator
Gregory Roution, R.N., MSN
4W/7E Inpatient Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educator
Rishi Laroia, M.D.
- Nurse Simulation Educator
Barbara Furey, R.N.
Fifth Floor Inpatient Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educator
Rishi Laroia, M.D.
- Nurse Simulation Educator
Ann Truman, R.N., MSN, CPN
Surgical Services (OR,OPS,PACU,Sedation) Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educator
Julie McWhorter, M.D.
- Nurse Simulation Educator
Stephanie Nunn, R.N., BSN, CNOR
Program for the Approach to Complex Encounters (PACE) Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educators
Aaron Calhoun, M.D.
Eleanor Peterson, M.D.
Olivia Mittel, M.D.
Melissa Porter, M.D.
Simulation Outreach Educational Team
- Physician Simulation Educators
Melissa Porter, M.D.
Aaron Calhoun, M.D.
Karen Orman, M.D.
- Transport Clinician Educators
Pennie Maus-Granholm, R.N., MSN
Lesli Carter, R.N.
