2012 Report to the Community - VISN 8

integrationVA nuRSE EDuCATORHelps Others Manage Tough SituationsClinical Simulation advances knowledgeand confidence about managing toughsituations—it helps health carepractitioners provide better care andoutcomes for their patients. A nurseeducatorwho is the SimulationCenter Coordinator at the VAMedical Center in Gainesville, Fla.has made major strides in this areaand was recognized nationally forher contributions.Denise Cochran, RN, BSN, receivedthe 2012 VA Under Secretary forHealth’s Excellence in Clinical SimulationTraining, Education and Research Practice.Cochran was recognized with the awardfor her contributions in the field ofclinical simulation to include leadingthe creation of the InterdisciplinarySimulation Education Center (ISEC),a simulation center for medicine,nursing, surgery, anesthesia andrespiratory therapy. She alsodeveloped simulation-basededucation and training to addresspatient safety issues, assists in thedevelopment of simulation-basedcurriculum for training residents, staffand students, and provides simulationinstructor training.putting everyNew PAResidencyProgram inPrimary CareA new Physician Assistant (PA)Residency Pilot Program inPrimary Care at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans HealthSystem that began in fall 2012is one of only six in the country.The program is a collaborationbetween the NF/SGVHS, theUniversity of Florida Collegeof Medicine and the Universityof Florida School of PhysicianAssistant Studies. The programestablishes two residencypositions which will advancethe mission of UF’s Collegeof Medicine to provide betterpatient-centered medical care.20Annual Report 2012 » www.visn8.va.gov