Dawn Taylor Peterson, PhD
Director - OIPS
Dawn Taylor Peterson is an Associate Professor in the Heersink School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education and in the School of Health Professions, Department of Health Services Administration. She holds a PhD in Instructional Design, as well as an Educational Specialist degree and a Master of Arts in Education. She completed her initial simulation training and the Advanced Comprehensive Instructor Course at the Center for Medical Simulation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Peterson is also a TeamSTEPPS® Master Trainer. Her primary interests are debriefing, interprofessional simulation, and faculty development for simulation. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of education and 12 years of experience in the field of simulation. She currently serves as Director for the Office of Interprofessional Simulation.
Dawn Taylor Peterson is an Associate Professor in the Heersink School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education and in the School of Health Professions, Department of Health Services Administration. She holds a PhD in Instructional Design, as well as an Educational Specialist degree and a Master of Arts in Education. She completed her initial simulation training and the Advanced Comprehensive Instructor Course at the Center for Medical Simulation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Peterson is also a TeamSTEPPS® Master Trainer. Her primary interests are debriefing, interprofessional simulation, and faculty development for simulation. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of education and 12 years of experience in the field of simulation. She currently serves as Director for the Office of Interprofessional Simulation.
Educator Team
Erica Anderson, PhD, MAE, RRT
Simulation Educator
Erica Anderson is a Simulation Coordinator Senior for the Office of Interprofessional Simulation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as a Master’s in Community Health and Human Services from UAB. Erica recently received her PhD in Health Education and Promotion Program through the School of Education at UAB. Erica has over 20 years of clinical experience as a Respiratory Therapist. She has completed the Healthcare Simulation Essentials: Design and Debriefing Course with the Institute for Medical Simulation as well as the Master Debriefer Course with the Debriefing Academy.
Erica Anderson is a Simulation Coordinator Senior for the Office of Interprofessional Simulation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as a Master’s in Community Health and Human Services from UAB. Erica recently received her PhD in Health Education and Promotion Program through the School of Education at UAB. Erica has over 20 years of clinical experience as a Respiratory Therapist. She has completed the Healthcare Simulation Essentials: Design and Debriefing Course with the Institute for Medical Simulation as well as the Master Debriefer Course with the Debriefing Academy.
Kelly Dailey, MSN, RN
Simulation Educator
Kelly Dailey is a Simulation Educator, Senior for UAB Clinical Simulation/The Office of Interprofessional Simulation for Innovative Clinical Practice at UAB in Birmingham, Alabama. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Nursing with a focus in pediatric nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Samford University. She received training in simulation from the Institution for Medical Simulation, Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, and most recently completed the Master Debriefer Course, The Debriefing Academy. Kelly is a debriefing expert and provides debriefing feedback to course faculty. Her primary interests are debriefing and interprofessional simulation.
Kelly Dailey is a Simulation Educator, Senior for UAB Clinical Simulation/The Office of Interprofessional Simulation for Innovative Clinical Practice at UAB in Birmingham, Alabama. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Nursing with a focus in pediatric nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Samford University. She received training in simulation from the Institution for Medical Simulation, Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, and most recently completed the Master Debriefer Course, The Debriefing Academy. Kelly is a debriefing expert and provides debriefing feedback to course faculty. Her primary interests are debriefing and interprofessional simulation.
Elizabeth Norris, MSN
Simulation Educator
Elizabeth Norris is a Simulation Coordinator Senior for the Office of Interprofessional Simulation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Health Systems Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Troy University. Elizabeth has over 10 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse and has worked both in clinical spaces and in Quality Management. Elizabeth is excited to be part of the Office of Interprofessional Simulation and help our learners gain knowledge and experience through valuable simulations. Her interests are spending time with her husband and children, reading, and traveling.
Elizabeth Norris is a Simulation Coordinator Senior for the Office of Interprofessional Simulation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Health Systems Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Troy University. Elizabeth has over 10 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse and has worked both in clinical spaces and in Quality Management. Elizabeth is excited to be part of the Office of Interprofessional Simulation and help our learners gain knowledge and experience through valuable simulations. Her interests are spending time with her husband and children, reading, and traveling.
Director of Research
Michelle R. Brown, PhD, MS, MLS(ASCP) SBB, CHSE
Director of Research & Simulation Educator
Michelle is a passionate simulation educator. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration and the founding Program Director for the Healthcare Simulation Master’s Program. Michelle holds a PhD in Health Education and Promotion and a Master’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. She teaches simulation design, advanced debriefing, patient safety, effective communication, and teamwork. Michelle is the recipient of the President's award for Excellence in Teaching and the Graduate Dean's award for Excellence in Mentorship, the highest honor conferred by the Graduate School. Michelle’s interests include faculty development, behavioral factors associated with decision-making, and using simulation to better understand stigma associated with opioid use disorder.
Michelle is a passionate simulation educator. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration and the founding Program Director for the Healthcare Simulation Master’s Program. Michelle holds a PhD in Health Education and Promotion and a Master’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. She teaches simulation design, advanced debriefing, patient safety, effective communication, and teamwork. Michelle is the recipient of the President's award for Excellence in Teaching and the Graduate Dean's award for Excellence in Mentorship, the highest honor conferred by the Graduate School. Michelle’s interests include faculty development, behavioral factors associated with decision-making, and using simulation to better understand stigma associated with opioid use disorder.
Operations Team
Ivory Daniels
Clinical Simulation Specialist
Ivory holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ivory came to us from Central Sterile within UAB Hospital, and has a vast knowledge of medical equipment and surgical instrumentation. His goal is to provide technical support and he is excited to contribute to supporting the values and vision of OIPS.
Ivory holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ivory came to us from Central Sterile within UAB Hospital, and has a vast knowledge of medical equipment and surgical instrumentation. His goal is to provide technical support and he is excited to contribute to supporting the values and vision of OIPS.
Andrew Givan
Clinical Simulation Equipment Tech
Andrew received a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Montevallo in 2019. He worked in physical therapy clinics for over six years, helping patients recover and experience a better quality of life. In 2021, Andrew became a certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Andrew is excited to be part of the Office of Interprofessional Simulation and help our learners gain knowledge and experience through valuable simulations.
Andrew received a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Montevallo in 2019. He worked in physical therapy clinics for over six years, helping patients recover and experience a better quality of life. In 2021, Andrew became a certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Andrew is excited to be part of the Office of Interprofessional Simulation and help our learners gain knowledge and experience through valuable simulations.
Nia Robinson
Clinical Simulation Equipment Tech
Nia holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is currently working towards her Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy. She worked at a Pedorthic Care clinic as an Administrative Assistant before joining our team this year and also did a brief internship at a Physical Therapy clinic here in Birmingham, AL. Nia is a big advocate for the quality of patient safety and care, and in joining our team she hopes to gain a vast knowledge about how to improve upon patient safety techniques. Outside of work Nia enjoys going to the gym, dancing, skating, and trying out new meals at home.
Nia holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is currently working towards her Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy. She worked at a Pedorthic Care clinic as an Administrative Assistant before joining our team this year and also did a brief internship at a Physical Therapy clinic here in Birmingham, AL. Nia is a big advocate for the quality of patient safety and care, and in joining our team she hopes to gain a vast knowledge about how to improve upon patient safety techniques. Outside of work Nia enjoys going to the gym, dancing, skating, and trying out new meals at home.
Administrative Team
Ranus Williams
Business Officer II, CIPES
Ranus holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ranus came to us from Banks, Finley, White, & Co, CPAs, and has a vast knowledge of accounting, auditing, finance, and investing. As a part of the team, Ranus is mainly responsible for management of financial operations in the department. His passion is drawing and painting on canvases. He also loves spending time with his family and serving the community.
Ranus holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ranus came to us from Banks, Finley, White, & Co, CPAs, and has a vast knowledge of accounting, auditing, finance, and investing. As a part of the team, Ranus is mainly responsible for management of financial operations in the department. His passion is drawing and painting on canvases. He also loves spending time with his family and serving the community.
Brian Mezzell, MBA
Communications Specialist
Brian Mezzell is the Communications Specialist for the Center for Interprofessional Simulation and Education and the Office of Interprofessional Simulation. He obtained his Master of Business Administration degree at UAB and his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Berry College. Brian is responsible for the office’s data tracking and reporting. He also handles the office’s communications and many of the day-to-day administrative tasks. His interests are spending time with his wife and children, marketing, communications, and photography.
Brian Mezzell is the Communications Specialist for the Center for Interprofessional Simulation and Education and the Office of Interprofessional Simulation. He obtained his Master of Business Administration degree at UAB and his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Berry College. Brian is responsible for the office’s data tracking and reporting. He also handles the office’s communications and many of the day-to-day administrative tasks. His interests are spending time with his wife and children, marketing, communications, and photography.
Jasmine Young, MBA
Office Associate II
Jasmine Young is the Office Associate II for the office of Interprofessional Simulation. She obtained her Master of Business Administration at Auburn University at Montgomery and her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Jacksonville State University. Jasmine is responsible for the office’s calendar and Human Resource affairs. She also handles the offices day-to-day administrative tasks. Her interests are traveling and trying new foods.
Jasmine Young is the Office Associate II for the office of Interprofessional Simulation. She obtained her Master of Business Administration at Auburn University at Montgomery and her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Jacksonville State University. Jasmine is responsible for the office’s calendar and Human Resource affairs. She also handles the offices day-to-day administrative tasks. Her interests are traveling and trying new foods.