Two faculty members from the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) have been named to leadership positions to help promote and advance the school’s Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education (S.H.A.R.E.™) and research programs.
“Both of these individuals are exceptional educators, mentors, and nurse leaders,” says SONHS Dean and Professor Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FAAAS. “They will contribute innovative perspectives and a wealth of strategic experience to our exemplary simulation and research programs.”
Ruth Everett-Thomas, PhD, RN, CHSE
Assistant Dean for Simulation Programs, S.H.A.R.E.™
In her new role as assistant dean for simulation programs, Dr. Everett-Thomas is responsible for coordinating day-to-day operational aspects as well as contributing to the development of policies, procedures, and practices of the Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education (S.H.A.R.E.™). Dr. Everett-Thomas is an assistant professor of clinical at SONHS and a Certified Health Care Simulation Educator (CHSE) through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). She works closely with faculty in designing simulation curricula for entry-to-practice baccalaureate nurses, including scenario design, assessment and evaluation. She has a strong background working in a major hospital-based simulation center developing simulation interventions incorporating Team-STEPPS® strategies to promote patient safety and improved patient outcomes. Dr. Everett-Thomas’s research interest and doctoral dissertation focused on improving Code Blue and Rapid Response team performance in clinical and acute care settings.
Cynthia Foronda, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Assistant Dean for Innovation, Clinical Research, and Scholarship
In this newly created role, Dr. Foronda will provide vision and strategic direction toward growth of clinical research. Additionally, she will mentor faculty members to advance scholarship and promote career development. Dr. Foronda serves as a professor of clinical, specializing in virtual simulation, technology, cultural humility, and family caregiving. An expert in curriculum development and evaluation of educational interventions, she is focused on encouraging breakthroughs through use of innovation, diverse teaching methods, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Her work in virtual simulation has resulted in several international awards, and her research has provided some of the first evidence that virtual simulation is an effective pedagogy for nursing education. Dr. Foronda was a Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Faculty Scholar from 2018-2020 and is a past president of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL).
