Dr. Karen J. Panzarella is an Associate Professor at D’Youville, in Buffalo NY a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and TeamSTEPPS master trainer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy, a master’s degree in exercise science and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University at Buffalo. She has thirty years of experience as a clinician and more than twenty years as an educator. Currently Karen serves as D’Youville’s Interprofessional Simulation Curriculum Specialist. Her research focuses on the use of healthcare simulation for collaborative practice, to facilitate the transition from academia to clinic environment for optimal patient care and safety.