About Us

S. Barry Issenberg is the Director of the Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education, the Michael S. Gordon Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, Director of Research and Technology, and Project Director for the development and evaluation of Harvey, the Cardiopulmonary Patient Simulator, and the UMedic Multimedia Curriculum.

For over 20 years, his career has focused on the research, development, implementation, and evaluation of simulation and computer-based teaching systems. He has led several initiatives at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine integrating the use of simulation for training and evaluation of learners at all levels. Research by Dr. Issenberg and colleagues have established the viability and importance of computer-based simulation and virtual patient training programs in teaching health professionals, especially cardiac and stroke assessment and treatment.

Dr. Issenberg leads an international consortium of clinicians and medical educators from 14 medical centers. The consortium has designed, implemented and published the results of several multi-center studies that have shown the effectiveness of simulation technology to teach and assess clinical skills. Dr. Issenberg has authored or co-authored more than 150 publications, books, book chapters and e-learning programs on the development, use and evaluation of simulation systems in medical education.

In addition, he serves on several national and international boards and committees related to medical education and healthcare simulation.

Ivette Motola is Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Assistant Director of the Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education and Director of the Prehospital and Emergency Healthcare Division (PEH) at the Gordon Center.

Dr. Motola joined the Gordon Center in 2007 and became the Director of Prehospital & Emergency Training Division in 2008. In this capacity, Dr. Motola develops curricula, instructional materials and assessment instruments for medical education of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, paramedics, and other allied health professionals. In the spirit of preparing the next generation of healthcare providers, Dr. Motola disseminates its education programs throughout Florida, the US and the world.

Dr. Motola has a special interest in developing curricula for prehospital and hospital-based emergency providers and the application of simulation to emergency medical education. Dr. Motola has served as PI or Co-PI on multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Florida Department of Health and several foundations. Her research interests include effective use of simulation and technology for skills acquisition and retention, team training, training for disaster response, and stroke education.

Ross Scalese is Professor of Medicine and Director of Educational Technology Development at the Gordon Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Scalese sits on the Executive Faculty Curriculum Steering Committee, directs the major competency assessment programs for first- and second-year students, and is a founding Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators at the Miller School of Medicine. He is active clinically and as a teacher of medical students and residents, particularly in the areas of cardiology and clinical skills.

Dr. Scalese’s special interests and research focus on innovative uses of simulation for competency-based training and assessment. He has been an invited speaker at numerous international conferences and has directed many faculty development courses addressing topics related to simulation-based medical education. He has co-authored some of the most widely cited references in the field, including the Best Evidence Medical Education (BEME) Collaboration systematic review on features of high-fidelity simulation that lead to effective learning.

Dr. Esterson is the Director of Cardiology Teaching Programs at the for the Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education with over 40 years of experience practicing and teaching clinical cardiology. He designs and implements major curricular innovations for the University of Miami medical school students, preparing them for life-long independent learning. A graduate of the University of Maryland School Medicine in 1969, Dr. Esterson enjoys teaching and has been repeatedly voted “best teacher” by UM’s medical school senior class.

Dr. Asit Misra has just joined the University of  Miami’s Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine (Department of Surgery) and will serve as its Assistant Director of the Prehospital and Emergency Training Division. Prior to joining the Gordon Center, Dr. Misra was an Instructor of Emergency Medicine and a Research Scientist at the Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Dr. Misra graduated from the Tver State Medical University in 2003. He holds a Master’s Degree in Medical Education and Emergency Medicine. He has completed an American College of Surgeons Accredited Surgical Simulation Fellowship. Dr. Misra serves as an editorial board member, associate editor, and peer reviewer for several academic journals. He is also an Advisory Board member of the Core Curriculum & Education Committee for the International Federation of Emergency Medicine.

His areas of interest are healthcare simulation, disaster medicine, resuscitation, faculty development, and educational research. His research focus on demonstrating the outcomes and the impact of experiential learning, assessment, and program evaluation in simulation-based medical education.

Angel Brotons is the Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education’s Associate Director for Operations and Instructor Development in the Division of Prehospital & Emergency Healthcare. Mr. Brotons is the AHA training Center director for several municipalities. He continues to serve as a firefighter and paramedic and oversees the STEMI and Stroke program in Monroe County Fire Rescue, Marathon, and Islamorada Fire Rescue.

Jeffrey Groom, PhD, CRNA, FSSH is a seasoned educator, clinician, and consultant. Combining his diverse clinical background and doctorate in instructional technology focusing on simulation, Dr. Groom has utilized simulation-based instruction in educating healthcare professionals for over 40 years. Dr. Groom is an active and founding member of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, a Fellow in the Academy, serves as an Editorial Board member for the Journal for Simulation in Healthcare, serves on the SSH Finance and Audit Committee, serves as a SSH Accreditation Reviewer, and served as Co-Chair for the 2020 20^th Anniversary International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare.

Dr. Groom has been a frequent invited speaker at numerous national and international venues on the topics of simulation education, assessment, and facility design. Most recently, he served as Co-Chair for the Simulation Committee for the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists evaluating the state of high stakes simulation-based assessment. His research interests include investigating the role of medical simulation for improving patient safety and medical decision making under stress. He has served as a consultant and educator with the University of Miami, Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education for more than 30 years. He is one of the course co-authors of the international Improving Simulation Instructional Methods (iSIM) program. Dr. Groom also serves as the Director for Special Projects for the Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education and adjunct Professor of Clinical in the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami. Dr. Groom is CEO of jagTEAM Consulting, LLC.

Samantha Syms is the Director of the Standardized Patient Program at the Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Ms. Syms is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) with a focus on standardized patient methodology and demonstrated experience in simulation operations, program administration, and program evaluation. She is also a doctoral student studying Adult Education/Human Resource Development and is interested in researching patient-centered communication and the integration of technology with human simulation.

Ms. Negrevergne is Director of Business and Strategic Operations. She provides financial and strategic planning to the Gordon Center’s and leads business and technology improvement processes to enhance its performance. Ms. Negrevergne also manages the financial, human resources and operational matters of the Center.

Ms. Gadea is a seasoned leader in medical education and previously served as the Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at Memorial Healthcare System where she was instrumental in defining and enforcing program policies for medical students.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University and is currently pursuing an Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Miami.

Ms. Fye is the course coordinator for the medical student cardiology elective and the simulation instructional programs for healthcare professionals.

Mr. Rodriguez manages the distribution of Harvey, the Cardiopulmonary Patient Simulator, and the Gordon Center’s line of UMedic applications in medical education. Richard also acts as Research Assistant on studies carried out by the Center’s Division of Prehospital & Emergency Healthcare.

Manager, Web Services and Multimedia, Mr. Waisman works in the Division of Research and Technology producing the UMedic program as well as multimedia and interactive curricula. He leads the development of audiovisual assets and animations for the Gordon Center’s educational programs. Before joining the Center in 2011, Diego worked for local and international advertising agencies

Mr. McEntire works in the Division of Research and Technology. He uses his background in human anatomy and computer programming to help develop the Center’s computer-based learning programs.

Manager, Administrative Operations

As Senior Manager of Administrative Operations at the Gordon Center, Ms. Guzman contributes to the department’s financial oversight and operational efficiency to optimize resource allocation and achieve the Center’s goals. She collaborate closely with leadership to ensure fiscal integrity and operational effectiveness.

Mr. Coster is responsible for the construction and assembly of some of Harvey’s electronic components and provides technical support regarding Harvey and UMedic software in the lab and in the field. Tim works with the other engineers involved with the refinement and improvement of technology used in Harvey. Certifications: Electronics Engineering (BNC).

Mr. Zambrana is responsible for the manufacturing of actuators and fabrication of Harvey. He provides support for the Gordon Center’s Cardiology, Neurology, and PEH programs training operations. Mario has a Certification in Mechanical, Architectural Drafting.

Program Manager and IT Support

Michael Saco is an EMS Instructor and Simulation Technologist Coordinator. His duties include coordinating the simulation setup & experience for the center’s classes along with teaching.