Towards Equitable Care:

Using Simulation to Mitigate Bias

June 16, 2023 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET | 14:30 UTC 

IPSS Member: Free | Non-Member: $50

Systemic racism and implicit bias (IB) contribute to widespread healthcare disparities.  Simulation based curricula can be a tool to advance social justice by providing an opportunity to practice evidence-based bias mitigation strategies. Implicit bias mitigation strategies, shown in the psychosocial literature to mitigate biased behaviors, can be added to all simulationists’ ‘bias-fighting toolkits’. In order for simulationists to engage in equity-based quality improvement work across healthcare, they must engage in personal reflection and growth. The goal of the workshop is to introduce participants to evidence based IBMS, reflect on individual identities and values, and provide practice integrating equity strategies into simulation. 

Meet the Speakers: 

Brittany Dahlen, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN

Clinical Education Specialist

Brittany Dahlen is a Clinical Education Specialist for Simulation at Children’s Minnesota. Brittany has a clinical background in pediatric hematology/oncology and cardiac intensive care nursing. In her professional development role, Brittany focuses on the use of simulation to target preventable harm reduction, including improving health equity outcomes. Brittany has presented on the use of simulation-based mastery learning, simulation-based equity and inclusion interventions, and nursing professional development interventions at various national and international conferences. Brittany Dahlen and Dr. Vora co-authored a recent paper in Simulation in Healthcare on recommendations and guidelines to use simulation for addressing systemic racism and implicit bias.

Samreen Vora, MD, MHAM, FACEP

Medical Director of Simulation and Emergency

Department Physician

Dr. Samreen Vora is a Board-Certified Emergency Physician and Medical Director of Simulation at Children’s Minnesota. Dr. Vora completed a two-year fellowship in Simulation and Medical Education and is completing a Masters in Health Professions. Dr. Vora’s most recent research has focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion with simulation. Dr. Vora also currently mentors multiple research projects focused on Simulation-Based Mastery Learning (SBML), Outreach Simulation, and Caregiver Simulation. Dr. Vora and Brittany Dahlen co-authored a recent paper in Simulation in Healthcare on recommendations and guidelines to use simulation for addressing systemic racism and implicit bias.

Rachael McGraw, DNP, RN

Rachael is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at St. Catherine University. She is a nurse educator who infuses her clinical and teaching practices with caring ethics. Professor McGraw has a broad clinical background with decades of experience caring for childbearing families. Her faculty position is the Graduate College where she focuses on evidence-based teaching strategies. Her scholarly work is based on pairing simulation with ethical issues that impact care outcomes and the healthcare experience. Rachael is known among students as an authentic and caring faculty member who brings a social justice lens to her teaching and clinical practice. Her recent presentations focus on developing clinical judgment in the new-to-practice nurses. When she is not teaching she can be found winning baking awards, tending her flock of backyard chickens, and enjoying her 5 children.

Mona Rippy, BSHCM

Change Management Consultant

At Children’s MN, I’m a Change Management Consultant, providing organizational support for Change Management at Children’s Minnesota. This includes coaching and consulting with clinical and department leaders to identify, plan, design, and implement any change management improvement strategies.

Clare Dudzinski, MSW, LICSW

Clare Dudzinski is a clinical social worker who specializes in supporting patients and their families within the intensive care setting. Clare’s role is to assess and address each family's unique psychosocial circumstances to enhance family support, promote coping, and improve quality of care, communication, and decision making.

Shanna McCann, BA, CPXP

Shanna McCann is an Experience Coach at Children's Minnesota, providing organizational support for the patient family experience and emotional harm incidents. This includes coaching and consulting with clinical and department leaders to identify, plan, design, and implement patient family experience improvement strategies with an equity lens. Shanna enjoys playing the harp, camping and fishing and is a passionate political liaison for the Alopecia Areata Foundation.