Suffolk Reporter

Debra Giugliano, RN, PhD, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Stony Brook University School of Nursing, has been selected by the State University of New York (SUNY) to join the inaugural class of the SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship. This initiative for the 2024-25 academic year aims to enhance simulation-based education across all SUNY nursing programs.

The fellowship was announced by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and is part of a broader effort to prepare more nurses for New York State’s healthcare workforce. This aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul's objective to increase this workforce by 20 percent. The fellowship stems from recommendations made by the SUNY Future of Health Care Workforce Task Force, which identified nursing simulation as one of four priority areas.

The inaugural class consists of 11 fellows who will advance their skills in simulation training through a six-month program that includes continuing education, monthly virtual meetings, in-person retreats led by SUNY, and attendance at the International Meeting on Simulation Healthcare in Orlando, Florida.

Since May 2023, SUNY nursing students have been able to complete up to one-third of their clinical training through simulation education. Pat Bruckenthal, RN, PhD, Dean of the Stony Brook University School of Nursing stated: “We are excited for the School of Nursing and for Dr. Giugliano with her selection for this inaugural Nursing Simulation Fellowship.” She added that this opportunity would allow Dr. Giugliano "to bring our student learning experiences to the forefront of innovation."

Giugliano is an experienced clinician and educator specializing in pediatric oncology nursing. She is also recognized as the Founder and Director of the School Intervention and Reentry Program at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this Fellowship and look forward to gaining the necessary expertise," said Giugliano regarding her selection.

The fellows will play a key role in shaping simulation-based learning within SUNY and contribute to developing a central repository called the SUNY Simulation Shared Resource Library for system-wide benefit.