Clinical Simulation Leader Honored at Georgetown Women in Medicine Event

January 29, 2021 – A nurse innovator who manages the O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center at the School of Nursing & Health Studies was honored yesterday at the annual awards ceremony of the Georgetown Women in Medicine. (Learn about Georgetown Women in Medicine.)

At the virtual event, Kelli Giffin (MS-Nursing 1998), who is a certified healthcare simulation educator, received the School of Nursing & Health Studies Mentoring Award in the Health Sciences.

“I am incredibly honored to have received this award for doing something that I truly love,” Giffin said. “I want to thank Dr. Edilma Yearwood and the Department of Professional Nursing Practice for the nomination and also those who chose me as the recipient. It was an unexpected surprise given the talented group of women in medicine that I was nominated with. I am also so grateful for the generosity of the O’Neill family, whose ongoing support of the center advances educational innovation for our students and faculty.”

‘Excellence and Commitment’

Giffin’s nomination by Yearwood and the department highlighted the way she “demonstrates excellence and commitment to mentoring students and faculty while supporting the broader community,” as well as her efforts “to develop the competencies and critical thinking abilities of all who engage in simulation.”

Reflecting her Hoyas for others perspective, the nomination continued, “During the pandemic, she both shared much-needed clinical supplies with MedStar Georgetown and Mary’s Center, while also developing and implementing virtual simulation strategies that reflect her expertise in clinical hospital-based practice.”

Yearwood highlighted Giffin’s achievements at the event, including sharing sentiments of support by colleagues. (Learn about Giffin’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic to conceptualize and create virtual simulation opportunities to support continued student learning.)

Gale and Ramey Awardees

Dr. Carole Roan Gresenz, interim NHS dean, spoke at the event, congratulating and honoring “all of the women who are receiving recognition tonight” and noting that, due to challenges presented by COVID-19, “The work of the GWIM matters now more than ever.”

Also at the event, two professors received awards recognizing their distinguished achievement and mentorship:

The Karen Gale Outstanding Achievement Award went to Dr. Ludise Malkova, professor of pharmacology and physiology

And the Estelle Ramey Mentoring Award went to Dr. Kristi D. Graves, associate professor of oncology and associate dean for faculty development. 

Additionally, newly promoted and tenured faculty were celebrated.

By Bill Cessato