CND Team Directory

Dr. Nikki Blodgett, PhD, RN, CHSE, is the Director of the Center for Nursing Discovery (CND) and an Assistant Professor at the Duke University School of Nursing. As the CND Director, she works with faculty to incorporate standards of best practices in simulation into their courses, helps to design, implement and evaluate student learning in a safe environment.

Dr. Blodgett earned her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from Marycrest International University (BSN, 2000), her Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Iowa College of Nursing with a focus on Occupational & Environmental Health (MSN, 2003), and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from The University of Iowa College of Nursing with a focus on Adult & Gerontological Nursing (PhD, 2014). She is an International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Research Fellow (INACSL, 2018-2019). Dr. Blodgett and colleagues developed the Simulation Workload Model that provided key conceptual underpinnings of workload determinants for faculty engaged in simulation-based teaching methods. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, and received awards recognizing the significance and high quality of her work.

Dr. Blodgett is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and serves on the INACSL's Board of Directors.

Dana Convoy MSN, RN, CEN is a Clinical Lab Instructor in the CND supporting skills training and simulation based learning activities in the ABSN program. Dana joined the CND after retiring from the United States Navy with more than 20 years of service. Dana enlisted in the United States Navy (1992) and worked four years as a Hospital Corpsman. Her clinical practice included emergency nursing across the United States Navy (Camp Lester Okinawa Japan, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Naval Hospital Jacksonville Florida, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center). Through the Navy Nurse Corps, Dana was a certified BLS, ACLS, PALS and the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Triage instructor.

Dana earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (BSN, 2001) through the Navy's Nurse Candidate program and completed her Master of Science in Nursing in nursing education (MSN, 2020) from Liberty University. Prior to joining the CND, Dana taught at a local community college as lead instructor for a Certified Nursing Assistant II program. Dana is a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), member of International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). Dana is pursing certification as a Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE).

Dr. Courtney Calhoun , DNP, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CHSE, CNE, is a Clinical Nurse Educator in the CND. She works collaboratively with faculty throughout the processes of simulation development and delivery to meet standards of best practice.

Dr. Calhoun earned her Associate Degree in Nursing of Science in Nursing from Nash Community College (ADN, 2013), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (BSN, 2017), a Master of Science in Nursing from University of North Carolina Wilmington (MSN, 2018), and Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a concentration in leadership from Gardner Webb University (DNP, 2021). Dr. Calhoun's doctoral project included developing a virtual medication reconciliation simulation with senior nursing students.

Dr. Calhoun is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, a Certified Nurse Educator, and certified as a medical-surgical nurse through ANCC. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the North Carolina Nurses Association, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Heather Lachiewicz, MSN, RN, CNML, NE-BC, NPD-BC, CHSE, CNE is a Clinical Associate at the Center for Nursing Discovery (CND) at Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON). In her role, Heather collaborates with faculty to define learning objectives, design teaching plans, and develop nursing skills training sessions. She also supports implementation of simulation-based learning activities across the nursing curriculum, fostering experiential education to enhance clinical competency.

Heather earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing in Health Care Systems with concentrations in education and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She began her nursing career in the Surgery Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) and later advanced into leadership roles, including preceptor, charge nurse, and nurse manager of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery ICUs (CVICUs) in Ohio and Georgia.

Before joining DUSON, Heather served as the Nurse Residency Coordinator at Emory Healthcare, where she educated and mentored newly licensed nurses during their critical first year of practice. She has precepted new and experienced nurses as well as graduate nursing students. She contributed to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) reaccreditation of Emory's Nurse Residency Program. In 2020, Heather was recognized as a finalist for the March of Dimes Georgia Nurse of the Year Award. She has also published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.

Heather is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She also serves on the Membership Committee of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), and hopes her contributions support advancing simulation education globally.

Gregory Maruzzella, MSN, RN, CHSE is a Clinical Nurse Educator in the CND. He works collaboratively with faculty to develop and deliver positive and effective simulation-based experiences for learners. Greg is interested in the nuances of communication, and how it can impact the healthcare team and the client.

Greg earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at East Carolina University (2008) and his Master of Science with a focus in nursing education from East Carolina University (2015). He is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and has presented at both national and international conferences. He is a member of the Association for Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE), International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).

Prior to joining the CND Greg worked as simulation faculty and standardized patient coordinator at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs. He served in a leadership role as Clinical Team lead in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), as well as a preceptor and charge nurse in General Medicine Step-Down at Duke University Hospital. He started at DUSON as a clinical instructor in the prelicensure program, working with a variety of different courses over several years.

Jamie Mancuso, MSN, CPNP-PC earned her Associate Degree in Nursing in 1998, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, 2018) from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN, 2020) from the Duke University School of Nursing. She began her nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center before moving to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Duke Medical Center, where she precepted new and experienced RNs, and served on the Education Committee and Skin Care Committee. She also has experience in Pediatric Float Pool and Pediatric Ambulatory Care. Her leadership roles include charge nurse, preceptor and committee chair.

As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, she worked in Adolescent and Pediatric Primary Care. In 2021, Jamie helped reestablish a school-based health clinic in an underserved community in Durham. She was awarded the NCNA Triangle Region Research Grant, Improving Access to Care and Health Equity to Underserved Youth, which helped increase enrollment and participation in her clinic. In 2022, she graduated from the Duke Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Institute (APPLI) Program where she learned valuable leadership, communication and project implementation which was utilized to introduce stress management techniques to her adolescent patients.

She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She also volunteers with the Eastern NC Chapter of the March of Dimes.

Sarah Moon, MSN, RN is a Clinical Associate in the CND. Sarah collaborates with faculty to design and implement realistic patient care scenarios that help students hone both their technical skills and clinical judgment.

Sarah is an alumnus of DUSON’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (2008) and earned a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in nursing education from East Carolina University (2024). Sarah’s clinical experience includes adult critical care and adult oncology. Her interest in teaching and leadership were evident as a clinical nurse taking on roles of charge nurse, preceptor, mentor, and unit practice council co-chair. She started as a clinical instructor in the pre-licensure program at DUSON in 2018 and received the DAISY award for clinical instructors in 2021.

Sarah’s time as a clinical instructor and graduate student cemented her desire to teach students using active learning strategies, particularly simulation based learning. She feels strongly that simulation allows students a safe environment to contextualize new content and put theory into practice. She is currently working towards obtaining her Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator certification.

NaShonda Thomas, RMA serves as the CND’s Staff Assistant. With her background as a medical assistant, Nashonda ensures the CND has the appropriate equipment and supplies ready for daily operations. NaShonda is instrumental in organization of supplies, assisting with simulation technology, and the setup/breakdown of classroom and simulation activities. She helps with scheduling, giving tours, and welcoming all students and visitors to the CND. In addition, NaShonda orients and coordinates the daily tasks/ projects of the Duke Student workers and high school interns assigned to the CND.

NaShonda earned an Associate Degree in Health Science (AD, 2010) from Medical Careers Institute. In her previous clinical experience, she worked as a registered medical assistant in the Duke University Healthcare System at the Duke Pain Clinic. NaShonda is member of SimGHOSTS, and has presented simulation innovation and logistics at SimOps. NaShonda attends Durham Technical Community College and plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

Erika Smalls is a Simulation Technology Specialist in the CND. Erika assists with set-up and breakdown of learning activities. She works closely with the Technical Operations Coordinator to program scenarios and operate manikins, updates simulation software, and role plays the voice of the patient.

Erika earned her Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Health Administration (BS, 2014) at the University of Phoenix and Associate Degree of Applied Science in Information Systems from Durham Technical Community College (AD, 2005). In her previous experience, Erika demonstrated extraordinary customer service and leading teams. Erika plans to pursue certification as a Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS).

Kristin Turner, BSA is an Operations Coordinator for the Duke University School of Nursing, where she is committed to increasing nursing presence in rural and under-served communities via the HRSA ANEW grant. She earned her Bachelor of Science Anthropology from Florida State University. After graduating, she joined the U.S. Army as an Operations and Logistics Officer, where she honed her skills in leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving. During her time in the U.S. Army, she earned multiple certifications in leadership and team dynamics.

Kristin is pursuing a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of West Alabama where she aims to further her commitment to endorsing the Whole Health Model of Care. She currently resides in Willow Spring, NC with her husband and three children.

Raymond Brisson III, BA, CHSOS is the Technical Operations Coordinator for the Center for Nursing Discovery at Duke University School of Nursing. Raymond’s responsibilities include maintaining the technology in the lab, including routine maintenance and updates on the high-fidelity manikins, multiple computers/stations, telepresence robots and video recording equipment. Raymond is a vital member of the simulation team and uses his expertise across all nursing programs to determine the best use of technology/ modalities in simulation-based learning activities. Raymond works closely with the Director of the CND in the development and management of the CND’s operational calendar. As a CHSOS, Raymond excels in technology, operations, and logistics and is certified to develop and manage the CND’s electronic health record training environment.

Raymond earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Washington State University, (BA 2024). Raymond’s undergraduate research focused on 19th nursing in Irish workhouses and nursing in 1930’s film. At DUSON, Raymond is a member and former co-chair the Staff and Workplace Advocacy Council where he advocates for inclusive work environments.

Raymond is a member of the Simulation for Society in Healthcare (SSH), American Historical Association, and American Association for the History of Nursing. Raymond has published in peer review journals and presented innovative simulation technology concepts at both International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). Raymond was selected as the Society for Simulation in Healthcare’s Simulation Operations Specialist of the Year (2024).