Jim Rinehart Jr., MPA, BS, EMT-P, CHSE
Graduate Medical Education (GME) and Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Director of Clinical Skills and Simulation
Meet GME & NGMC Director of Clinical Skills and Simulation, Jim Rinehart. Jim’s impressive work history first began with serving in the United States Marine Corps. After completing his term, Jim received his paramedic certificate from Davenport University in Grand Rapids, MI. Before then, Jim received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. He then went on to pursue a variety of professional roles such as a field training officer, operations manager, educator and regional EMS manager – which has provided him with extensive experience in disaster preparedness.
Not only does Jim bring more than 15 years of simulation experience to this role, but he was also one of the first people in the nation to become a certified healthcare simulation educator through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Jim’s passion for simulation-based learning has included in-depth research to better understand how to best use simulation-based learning using sound educational principles and evolving a new paradigm in simulation-based learning to a learner-focused holistic approach to simulation innovation.
Jim’s extensive knowledge about simulation education and system integration is the result of ample experience in a variety of healthcare fields including grant submissions, program/curriculum development, bioterrorism, disaster-preparedness, ACLS, ACLS-EP, BLS, PALS, ITLS, emergency medicine, patient safety and inter-professional training. Jim also worked as the operations manager and professor of practice at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, AZ, where he designed and orchestrated the opening of their world-class simulation center.
Most recently, Jim worked at Midwestern University in Phoenix, AZ, serving as the assistant director of simulation and clinical skills and as medical school faculty. During his four years at Midwestern University, he helped to implement and lead a variety of important initiatives such as developing an American Heart Association training center for students, instituting a 4-year ultrasound program at the medical school, and coordinating more than 27,000 standardized patient encounters and high-fidelity simulations annually.
Jim has three children, Kalee, Jimmy (1993-2019), and Joshua. He enjoys spending time with his two amazing granddaughters, Pearl and Coral, and his wonderful partner, Peggy. Jim is also passionate about staying healthy physically, mentally and spiritually.
Nicole Beringson, MSN, RN, CNML
Clinical Simulation Manager and Educator
Nicole received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minnesota, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and her Master of Nursing in Leadership and Management from Western Governors University based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She started her nursing career at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
She continued her nursing career at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Nicole moved to Georgia twenty one years ago to work at Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta as a nurse manager. She has been at NGHS for the last nineteen years serving in various leadership roles before becoming a Clinical Simulation Educator. Nicole is certified by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership as a Certified Nurse Manager and Leader. She is an instructor in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support through the American Heart Association. Nicole is taking the lead to build the Standardized Patient Program for the NGHS Center for Simulation and Innovation.
Pamela Glasper
Simulation Administrative Secretary
Pamela Glasper is the Administrative Secretary for Northeast Georgia Health System’s Center for Simulation and Innovation. Pamela comes to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of North Georgia. While at UNG, Pamela received a Human Resources Master Certificate of Leadership and Supervision and Franklin Covey’s Championing Diversity recognition. She brings over 15 years of Human Resources and Managerial experience.
Pamela Glasper is the Administrative Secretary for Northeast Georgia Health System’s Center for Simulation and Innovation. Pamela comes to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of North Georgia. While at UNG, Pamela received a Human Resources Master Certificate of Leadership and Supervision and Franklin Covey’s Championing Diversity recognition. She brings over 15 years of Human Resources and Managerial experience.
Pamela Glasper is the Administrative Secretary for Northeast Georgia Health System’s Center for Simulation and Innovation. Pamela comes to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of North Georgia. While at UNG, Pamela received a Human Resources Master Certificate of Leadership and Supervision and Franklin Covey’s Championing Diversity recognition. She brings over 15 years of Human Resources and Managerial experience.
Pamela provides system support, including classroom scheduling, managing customer interactions, and performing clerical work.
Rebecca R. Harkness, MSN, RN, PHRN
AHA Credentialing Educator
Rebecca Harkness is the AHA training center coordinator for Northeast Georgia Health System. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University in Athens, OH, and her Master of Science in Leadership and Management from Western Governors University in Millcreek, UT. Rebecca has 19 years of experience in emergency nursing, including serving as the stroke coordinator at Stephens County Hospital. In this role, she initiated, coordinated and developed an acute remote stroke system of care certification, coordinated performance improvement, and completed ongoing staff education.
Kyle Cantrell
Simulation Technology Engineer
Kyle is the simulation technology engineer at Northeast Georgia Health System’s Center for Simulation and Innovation. He comes to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with a Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of North Georgia (formerly known as North Georgia College and State University). Additionally, Kyle has over 20 years of software development, integrated hardware/software design and management experience.
As a simulation technology engineer, Kyle facilitates the operation and incorporation of medical simulation technologies and equipment within the simulation center.
Corey Hill, MSN-Ed, RN, CRRN, NPD-BC, CNEcl, CHSE
Standardized Patient Educator / Clinical Simulation Educator
Corey received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Gainesville State College in Oakwood, GA, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA. She received her Master of Nursing in Nursing Education from Western Governors University in Millcreek, UT. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2009 specializing in Orthopedics, Neurology, Trauma, and Inpatient Rehabilitation prior to working in nursing education. Corey is certified by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses as a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse, by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification in Nursing Professional Development, by the National League for Nursing as a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator, and by the Society of Simulation in Healthcare as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator.
At NGHS, Corey has served as the RN Residency Program Coordinator and as a Clinical Competency Educator before becoming a Clinical Simulation Educator with the SIM Center. She is an instructor in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support through the American Heart Association. Corey specializes in new graduate nurse curriculum development and education and accreditation. She manages and collaborates with Public Relations on content marketing.
Reta Garner, MSN, RN, CCRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Reta received her Associate Degree in Nursing from North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA. Reta has been a Registered Nurse for thirty-three years. Her nursing experiences include ICU and CVICU. She has also served in nursing leadership as a Neuro Intensive Care Unit Nurse Manager in Winchester, Virginia, and Charge Nurse and Interim Nurse Manager at NGHS.
Reta is certified by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses as a Certified Critical Care Nurse. Reta is an active member and simulation education representative at NGHS’s shared governance, VOICE. Reta specializes in critical care simulation scenario development and procedures for physician residents.
Nicole Drury, MSN-Ed, RN, CEN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Nicole received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. She received her Master of Nursing in Nursing Education from Western Governors University in Millcreek, Utah. She started her nursing career in the Nurse Residency Program at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She went on to become the Neuroscience Clinical Educator. She continued her nursing career in the Emergency Depart at Piedmont Athens Regional in Athens, Georgia. Nicole is certified by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses as a Certified Emergency Nurse Specialist.
While at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Nicole has served as the RN Residency Program Coordinator before becoming a Clinical Simulation Educator with the Simulation Center. She is an active member of NGHS’s Employee Advisory Council. Nicole has worked to develop and offer simulation experiences to local nursing school programs. She also specializes in ED simulation scenario development and internal medicine procedure development.
Katie Parrish, BSN, MS, RN, CHSE
Clinical Simulation Educator
Katie earned her associate’s degree in nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing Education from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA. She worked at Northeast Georgia Medical Center on both orthopedic/neurology and medical-surgical units before becoming an assistant professor of nursing and director of simulation for the College of Health Sciences and Professions at the University of North Georgia. During her tenure at UNG, she engaged in research, published book chapters and journal articles, and delivered both national and international presentations related to simulation.
Katie is a member of the 2015 cohort of the NLN’s Leadership Program for Simulation Educators and is a certified healthcare simulation educator (CHSE) through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She is currently pursuing a PhD in health professions education with an emphasis on simulation through Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Health Professions in Boston, MA, with a tentative completion date of spring 2026.
Katie specializes in simulation education, including simulation curriculum development, faculty/facilitator development and simulation program operational management.
Yesica Castaneda White, BSN, RN, TCRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Yesica received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Piedmont College in Demorest, GA. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2014 specializing in Emergency Medicine prior to working in nursing education. Her clinical experience includes working at pediatric and adult trauma centers. At NGHS, Yesica has served as the Emergency Department Educator for multiple campus’s before becoming a Clinical Simulation Educator with the Simulation Center. She is currently the ENA Educator Chair for the Northeast Georgia Emergency Nurses Association Chapter. Yesica is certified by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing as a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse. She is an instructor in Pediatric Advanced Life Support through the American Heart Association.
As a Clinical Simulation Educator, Yesica specializes in Graduate Medical Education curriculum, scenario and procedure development for physician residents.
Hadassah Rowland, BSN, RN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Hadassah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wichita State University in 2007 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She began her nursing career in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kansas. She relocated to Georgia in 2013 to take a position as a Critical Care Flex Pool Nurse with the Resource Pool at NGHS, which expanded her critical care skills and experience to all the intensive care units on each NGHS campus. Additionally, Hadassah assisted with integrating the Critical Response Team into the hospital system.
In October 2019, she accepted the position of Critical Response Nurse, where she acted as the Team Lead RN for all Rapid Responses, Code Blues, Code Strokes, and Code Greens hospital wide. This role put her in a position to assist in GME simulations and lectures for the GME physician residents on critical response nurse processes. She was a pilot on the project to replace the MEWS score with the Deterioration Index predictive model for EPIC.
Hadassah carries her ACLS, ASLS, TNCC, and PALS certifications. She is currently in her practicum to obtain her board certification as a health and wellness nurse coach and to become certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse.
Leah Everett, MHA, BSN, RN, TCRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Leah received her Associate of Science in Nursing from The University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama, and Master of Health Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2012, specializing in Medical-Surgical Nursing and Emergency Medicine prior to working in nursing education. Her clinical experience includes working at adult trauma centers. At NGHS, Leah has served as the Emergency Department Educator, Assistant Nurse Manager, and Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department. She is currently the ENA Membership Chair for the Northeast Georgia Emergency Nurses Association Chapter and recent Past President. Leah is certified by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing as a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse. In addition, she is an instructor in Trauma Nursing Core Course through the Board of Certifications for Emergency Nurses.
As a Clinical Simulation Educator, Leah specializes in Graduate Medical Education curriculum, scenario, and procedure development for resident physicians.
Tasha Murchison, MSN-Ed, RNC-OB, C-EFM
Clinical Simulation Educator
Tasha received her licensed practical nurse diploma from North Georgia Technical College in Clarksville, GA and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Piedmont University in Demorest, GA. She graduated with a Master of Education at Capella University. Tasha has been a nurse at NGHS for 22 years serving as a mother-baby nurse and labor and delivery nurse. She was the labor and delivery nurse educator prior to transitioning to a clinical simulation educator.
Tasha holds certifications in inpatient obstetrics (RNC-OB) and fetal monitoring (C-EFM). She is also the co-chair for the AWHONN northeast Georgia chapter and the co-chair for education in the maternal cardiac program. Tasha is an OPS, Intermediate Fetal Monitoring, and ALSO instructor. She specializes in obstetric simulation scenario development and procedures for resident physicians, nurse residents, high school students and hospital staff.
Libby Humber, BSN, RN, TCRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Libby received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Milligan University in Johnson City, TN. She has been a registered nurse since 2015, specializing in emergency medicine before working in nursing education. Her experience includes working in adult and pediatric trauma centers and intensive care units. Libby is certified by the Board of Certification as a trauma certified registered nurse. She is a current member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).
While at NGHS, Libby has served in the charge nurse and assistant manager roles at NGMC Gainesville’s emergency department. She is also an ultrasound-guided IV instructor.
As a clinical simulation educator, Libby specializes in nursing curriculum and ED simulation scenario development.
Lauren Wisnoski, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Lauren received her Master of Science in Nursing from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Lauren is certified by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses as a certified emergency nurse and trauma certified registered nurse.
Before coming to NGHS, Lauren worked in pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She has also worked as a public health nurse and a clinical instructor. While at NGHS, Lauren has worked as a staff nurse and relief charge nurse at NGMC Braselton’s emergency department and as a staff nurse in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU).
As a clinical simulation educator, Lauren specializes in developing and implementing clinical and non-clinical curricula for hospital employees.
Jackie Payne, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Jackie received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. She has been a registered nurse since 2003, specializing in oncology, emergency nursing and trauma outreach. Jackie is a trauma-certified registered nurse and certified emergency nurse. She is a rural trauma team development course coordinator and trauma nursing core course director. She also serves as an instructor for the American Heart Association (AHA), Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses and Stop the Bleed.
Jackie has served as the Northeast Georgia Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) president and the Georgia ENA State Council secretary. She is the treasurer of the Region 2 Regional Trauma Advisory Committee and the clinical advisor for Region B Healthcare Coalition.
While at NGHS, Jackie served as the trauma outreach and injury prevention coordinator at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, an ACS-verified Level I trauma center in Gainesville, Georgia. Jackie’s leadership experience includes nurse educator and assistant nurse manager in the Emergency Department and nurse manager of the Nurse Residency Program.
As a clinical simulation educator for the Center for Simulation and Innovation, Jackie specializes in coordinating mock codes, Fundamental Critical Care Support courses and American Heart Association courses.
Christina Van Den Handel, MSN-Ed, APRN
Clinical Simulation Educator
Christina received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL. She studied advanced practice nursing in family and pediatrics, and education. Christina has over a decade of experience as a Critical Care Nurse and as a Nursing Professor. She also serves as a BLS and ACLS Instructor for the American Heart Association and as an Adjunct Faculty Member for nursing students at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA.
Christina develops, designs, delivers, and overseas innovative experiential learning for NGHS’s healthcare professionals and community partners. She collaborates with providers and faculty to develop and enhance clinical training. Christina organized the development of a Standardized Patient Program, Graduate Medical Education’s Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs), and the philanthropic events that led to the build of the Mobile Simulation Program.
Jane Buffington, DNP, CHSE
Clinical Simulation Educator
Jane received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, her Master of Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Leadership and Management from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA. Her DNP project focused on the BSN students’ perceptions of clinical learning for both traditional clinical and simulated clinical experiences.
Jane is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She is a full-time professor in the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing at Brenau University. Her nursing background consists of cardiac intensive care, emergency medicine, healthcare leadership, and legal nurse consulting. She has been an active Healthcare Simulation Educator since 2012 and she is currently the President of the Nu Gamma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nursing Honor Society. She is an active member of the International Association of Simulation and Clinical Learning (INACSL), Society of Simulation in Healthcare (SSIH), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), and the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC).
Carysa L. Mendez, EdD(c), MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM
Simulation Subject Matter Expert
Carysa holds a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Chamberlain College of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She is pursuing her Doctor of Education in Higher Education at Brenau University. Her extensive experience spans academic and clinical settings, demonstrating her commitment to advancing healthcare education and patient care.
As an assistant professor of nursing at Brenau University and a subject matter expert at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s simulation center, Carysa brings a wealth of knowledge to her roles. Her clinical expertise is particularly focused on obstetrics, as evidenced by her longstanding position as a staff nurse in Labor & Delivery and her Inpatient Obstetrics (RNC-OB) and Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) certifications. She is a member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Carysa is an OPS, ALSO, NRP, ACLS and BLS instructor, inspiring and guiding the next generation of healthcare professionals. Carysa’s professional journey also includes valuable experiences as a clinical instructor at various institutions and as a nursing case manager. Her involvement in implementing a quantitative blood loss process change showcases her dedication to improving patient safety and care practices in obstetrics.
As a simulation subject matter expert, Carysa specializes in developing obstetric simulation scenarios and procedures for resident physicians, nurses, pre-hospital staff and the community.
Tommy Benefield, AAS, EMT-P, FP-C
Simulation Subject Matter Expert
Tommy received his AAS in emergency medical science from Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC. He is completing his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. Tommy started his healthcare career in pre-hospital medicine. He has been a paramedic since 1998. He has worked in various clinical settings, including ground EMS, critical care ground transport, fixed wing and helicopter critical care transport for both pediatrics and adults, and at the Gainesville emergency department at NGHS.
Tommy has been serving as an instructor at Lanier Technical College in Gainesville, GA. He has served as a supervisor and clinical base lead for both ground and air transport teams for Air Life Georgia. He is certified by the International Board of Specialty Certification as a certified flight paramedic (FP-C). Tommy has been a guest speaker at the Phil Hart Critical Care Conference and the South Carolina Pediatric Trauma Conference.
At NGHS’s simulation center, Tommy leads simulation scenarios involving pre-hospital medicine, critical care transport, advanced airway management and difficult vascular access.
James D. Hogue, DO, FAAEM
Simulation Faculty Subject Matter Expert
In 2020, Dr. Hogue joined Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) as a subject matter expert to teach medical procedures in the Center for Simulation and Innovation. He has been practicing emergency medicine for forty years and was a member of the NGHS Emergency Department medical staff. Dr. Hogue received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ursinus College, in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, then went on to graduate from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia (PCOM) in Pennsylvania. Prior to that he was a helicopter gunship pilot for the United States Marine Corps during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and thirty-six Air Medals for combat action in Vietnam.
Dr. Hogue has been assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at the Georgia campuses of PCOM since 2013. He is also a flight physician for the Medway Air Ambulance Company in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Since 2012, he has flown all over the world bringing patients back to the United States for medical care.
His expertise in simulation-based procedure training comes from being an active part of the simulation team at Georgia campus PCOM, having helped set up the school’s sophisticated simulation center and standard patient program.
Chad Cooper, EMT-P
Mobile Simulation Specialist
Chad is a National Registry Paramedic. He has served thirteen years in public safety where he gained experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and as a Firefighter. He is an instructor in Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support through the American Heart Association.
Chad operates and provides educational training for the Mobile Simulation Program. He specializes in technical rescue response, pre-hospital medicine, advanced airway management, and public safety.
Caroline Coleman, BA
Simulation Technologist
Caroline graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia. In 2019, Caroline began working at NGHS as a Patient Emulator for NGHS as well as serving on the Non-Clinical Covid-19 Response Team.
As a Simulation Technologist, Caroline maintains and operates simulation equipment and assists in educational training for physician residents.
Alex Berardi, BS
Simulation Technologist
Alex received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, GA. She has worked with Northeast Georgia Health System since 2021 as a Standardized Patient and moved into a simulation technologist role in 2023.
Prior to her role at NGHS, Alex was a teacher specializing in neurodiverse education. She has also worked with various brands on digital media campaigns as a video editor and voiceover artist and served as a digital host and marketing assistant for Atlanta United FC.
As a simulation technologist, Alex maintains and operates simulation equipment and works closely with clinical simulation educators to ensure simulations run smoothly.