Meet the Simulation Team

Karen Meadows has over 23 years of experience as a registered nurse, educator, and leader. As Director of the Simulation Program at the UNT Health Regional Simulation Center, she is expanding simulation opportunities to students across multiple academic disciplines and to experienced community healthcare providers. She was recognized as a future 50 in Dallas Innovates Magazine for 2023 and has written curriculum for many interprofessional simulation education experiences.

Joshua Christian, as the Business Operations Manager, oversees financial planning, procurement, contract management, and resource allocation to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. He handles budgeting, monitors expenses, and negotiates vendor agreements, ensuring the efficient use of resources. Joshua also collaborates with leadership to align operational strategies with long-term goals, streamlines workflows, and implements processes that enhance productivity and support the center’s educational mission. His role is vital in maintaining both financial health and operational efficiency within the center.

Stephanie Etter holds a Master’s in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University. In her role, she leads the Standardized Participant Program, which provides students with vital hands-on experiences to refine their clinical skills. Stephanie coordinates student interactions with trained standardized patients, ensures accurate and realistic portrayals, and continually assesses the program to maintain its alignment with educational objectives, fostering a dynamic learning environment.

Jacob Miller has been a Simulation Technician since 2022, specializing in preparing and maintaining simulation equipment and environments for healthcare training. With expertise in creating realistic moulage and managing various aspects of healthcare simulations, Jacob helps ensure that students receive hands-on, immersive learning experiences. His technical skills and attention to detail contribute to the success of each simulation session, enhancing the educational impact for learners.

Juan holds a Master of Health Administration and brings a wealth of experience in project management to his role. He is responsible for overseeing the scheduling, budgetary, and procurement operations of the Simulation Center, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Passionate about education, Juan finds great satisfaction in watching students learn and develop through healthcare simulation. Outside of work, he is an avid runner and a devoted pet owner, always trying to spend as much time as possible with his three dogs and cat.

With over 10 years of experience at UNT Health Fort Worth, Jacob Yocom recently transitioned into his current role as a Simulation Technician. He supports hands-on training to help students succeed in their future careers. He is passionate about students and their growth, and is committed to creating a fun, innovative simulation center where learning feels real and engaging.

Sussie is a Simulation Technician at UNT Health Fort Worth, recently graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. She is dedicated to applying her technical skills to support the training of future medical professionals. Passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment, Sussie is committed to advancing the field of medical simulation and looks forward to contributing to its continued growth.

Lee Ann Cunningham is a seasoned project and program manager with over 20 years of experience improving healthcare through education. She has led initiatives that unite educators, clinicians, and learners to deliver impactful training – ranging from simulation-based learning to curriculum design and interprofessional education.

With a strong foundation in healthcare environments and certified in Agile and PMP methodologies, Lee Ann excels at turning strategy into action. She collaborates effectively, adapts in fast-paced settings, and keeps projects on track.

Her passion lies in creating inclusive, practical learning experiences grounded in real-world challenges – always with the goal of preparing professionals to deliver better care and achieve stronger patient outcomes.

Lacey Espree has 20 years of public education experience, working with diverse groups of learners and leading adult professional development. She has a Master’s of Learning Technology, with a concentration in Instructional Design, from the University of North Texas. Lacey believes in learning through application and is devoted to ensuring that learning experiences are objective-aligned, relevant, and have measurable outcomes. Lacey adheres to a philosophy that guides both her life and work – everyone deserves to learn something new, every day.