Meet Our Team

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Explore our Simulation Program

About us Meet our team Education By the numbers

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.

Becky Southworth, Director of Simulation

Becky became the founding Director of Simulation for Cook Children's Health care System in 2009 and has created a team focused on supporting system initiatives using innovative technologies that positively impact our interdisciplinary training encompassing cognitive, psychomotor, communication and critical thinking skills. Becky is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry. Becky obtained her Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) from Southern Nazarene University. Skilled in pediatric intensive care nursing with over 25 years clinical experience, management and leadership. Becky is a strong professional with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an international focus from Baylor University – Hankamer School of Business.

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 is excited to continue her journey with Cook Children’s as the new kid on the simulation block in the simulation program coordinator role. After graduating from Texas Woman’s University’s College of Business, she has administratively supported several organizational settings in public education and with Cook Children’s. She is now excited for this new opportunity to bring her experiences and current studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology 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.

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For more information about our Simulation Lab Program, please email us at SimulationLab@cookchildrens.org