Meet Our Team
Explore our Simulation Program
For the team in the Simulation Program, this is more than a job, it is a calling, and a very busy one at that. Each year, the team provides over 20,000 hours of training to the doctors, nurses, transport team, other health providers and patient familes across the Cook Children's Health Care System. But they don't stop there, they also provide services to other health professionals outside Cook Children's, and participate in several conferences through presentations and even onsite demonstrations. They are tireless, committed, and driven by their dedication to Cook Children's Promise.
Amy Kotter, Director of Simulation and Nurse Residency programs
Amy was promoted from Manager of the Nurse Residency program to Director of Simulation and Nurse Residency programs. Amy was a nurse resident in the program's second cohort. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Brigham Young University and later completed her Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Amy is excited to work alongside the wonderful staff in the Simulation program to enhance the confidence and competence of all employees at Cook Children's and beyond. She has a strong desire to lead with purpose, vision, and strategy to fulfill the promise of Cook Children's each day with every patient and family. She enjoys creating curriculum and effectively utilizing adult learning strategies and simulation to engage learners in knowledge acquisition.
Leslye Ammons, Basic and Advanced Life Support Educator
Leslye is a registered nurse with a BSN from University of Texas Arlington. She brings to the simulation team a plethora of experiences with over 20 years practicing in various pediatric settings. In addition to this, she has been a BLS instructor since 2018. With a welcome knowledge base, Leslye is now poised to take the reins to primarily oversee the American Heart Association Certification programs and training. Leslye is highly-motivated to return to our organization to help facilitate and accommodate this time of change and growth in our simulation program.
Sarah Heath-Smith, Simulation Education Specialist
Sarah has earned her MSN, RN, CPN, CPHON with over 16 years of pediatric nursing experience. The first 10 years of her nursing career; she served as an inpatient pediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplant nurse. The following 6 years she was one of the clinical education specialists for the hematology/oncology department. Sarah now joins the simulation program as a clinical practice simulation education specialist. She comes with over 8 years of simulation experience with teaching basic life support and pediatric advanced life support. Sarah has participated in policy development, patient and caregiver education, staff competency and peer review throughout the Health Care System.
Linda Jacobs, Experiential Learning Specialist
Linda is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) with over 30 years experience in respiratory care, clinical education, project management, and adult education. Linda completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry while working as a respiratory therapist and serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. She expanded her role from respiratory therapist to manager, then to educator where she has contributed to quality improvement, professional education and clinical documentation systems. Linda completed a Master of Public Health in 2012 and then joined Simulation Program as an Experiential Learning Specialist developing and facilitating clinically realistic, highly complex scenarios using high- and low-fidelity simulation equipment to improve clinical care and patient outcomes.
Glynnis Harrell, Simulation Program Coordinator
Glynnis has administratively supported several organizational settings in public education and with Cook Children's. She is excited to bring her experiences to supporting the wonderful employees, providers, and the community with the many, technologically-advanced certification and training programs that the simulation program has to offer.
We're here to help.
For more information about our Simulation Lab Program, please email us at SimulationLab@cookchildrens.org