About

Simulating Healthcare is a blog discussing topics related to healthcare simulation. Simulation is an important method for the training and assessment of students, physicians, nurses and all healthcare provider disciplines. Simulation is an important part of the future for helping to improve quality and safety in healthcare.

About Dr. Phrampus

Dr. Paul E. Phrampus, FACEP, FSSH, CPE is the Director of the Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education and Research (WISER). He is a Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology of the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. He is Vice Chair for Quality and Patient Safety in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director for Patient Safety at the UPMC Health System. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Old Dominion University, and an M.D. degree from Eastern Virginia medical school in Norfolk, Virginia. He completed residency training and board certification in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a certified professional in patient safety and a certified physician executive.

Dr. Phrampus has been active in patient safety efforts throughout the UPMC Health System and serves as the Medical Director of Patient Safety. He is a member of the Quality Patient Care Committee of the UPMC Board of Directors. He has overseen the expansion of WISER capabilities in developing a distributive model of management for WISER as well as the satellites centers that have been deployed throughout the UPMC Health System. He led a team to create a simulation based difficult airway management program for emergency medicine that has now been completed by hundreds of physicians.

Dr. Phrampus serves in a leadership role in national simulation efforts through program committee leadership for the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and serves on the editorial board of the journal Simulation in Healthcare. He has previously chaired the International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare, which is the largest multidisciplinary simulation meeting in the world. He was the 2013 Past President of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare which has over 3,500 members. He is one of the inaugural fellows of the organization.

Dr. Phrampus is a member of the University Of Pittsburgh Academy Of Master Educators and has worked extensively with the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy with Simulation Education efforts for students of healthcare professions.

Dr. Phrampus has traveled extensively lecturing and conducting simulation workshops, demonstrations and assisting in proliferation of successful simulation start-up programs. In addition to the United States his education efforts have included Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Israel, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, The Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and Tibet.

Dr Phrampus’s initial interest in teaching, technology and applied technology in education was spirited by his years of experience with computer systems and electronics gained from his years of service in the United States Navy.

During his Navy career Dr. Phrampus served aboard the USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) and Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES) in addition to multiple training commands. This experience included enlisted service for seven years as an Electronics Technician concluding his serve as a First Class Petty Officer when he earned an honorable discharge and pursued a career in medicine.