CND Team Directory

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    Nicole (Nikki) Petsas Blodgett, PhD, RN, CHSE

    Nicole (Nikki) Petsas Blodgett, PhD, RN, CHSE

    Assistant Professor

    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 (IN-ACSL, 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 Nominations and Election Committee.

    Office: 2120 Pearson Building
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    Danett Cantey, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE

    Danett Cantey, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE

    Clinical Nurse Educator/Clinical Associate

    Danett Cantey, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE is a Clinical Nurse Educator in the CND and works closely with faculty to design and implement skills training and simulation based learning activities across the ABSN program.

    Danett earned her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN, 1999) and Master of Science in Nursing in nursing education (MSN, 2007) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to joining academia, Danett practiced in the acute, ambulatory and primary care settings with adult and pediatric patients. She’s passionate about working with prelicensure students and helping them to become competent nurses who will deliver compassionate, safe and quality nursing care. Her professional interests include recruiting and promoting diversity in nursing and improving teamwork and communication by providing TeamSTEPPS education across all nursing programs. Danett has published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at both national and international conferences.

    Danett is an American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor and teaches often in the community. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, North Carolina Nurses Association, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), National League for Nursing (NLN) and serves on INACSL’s Awards and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committees.

    Office: 2070A Pearson Building
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    velinda chapman is a bright lady with long dark hair that works in the cnd at duke school of nursing in durham nc

    Velinda J. Chapman, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNEcl

    Clinical Nurse Educator/Clinical Associate

    Dr. Velinda Chapman, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNEcl, 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. She is intrigued with training designs and approaches that translate into better clinical performance.

    Dr. Chapman earned her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from Hawaii Pacific University (BSN, 1995), a Master of Education with a concentration in Health Professions Education from North Carolina State University (M.Ed, 2013), a Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University (MSN, 2022), and Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in Training and Performance Improvement from Capella University (PhD, 2013). She retired from the US Navy with 21 years of service and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. Prior to being commissioned in the Nurse Corps, she was an Avionics Technician First Class Petty Officer and earned the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and the Master Training Specialist designations.

    Dr. Chapman is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the North Carolina Nurses Association, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning.

    Office: 2112 Pearson Building
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    Courtney Calhoun, DNP, MED-SURG, CNE, CHSE

    Clinical Associate, CND Lab

    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.

    Office: 2113 Pearson Building
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    Dana Convoy, BSN, RN, CEN

    Dana Convoy, MSN, RN, CEN, CHSE

    Clinical Instructor

    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).

    Office: 2001 Pearson Building
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    Heather Lachiewicz

    Heather Lachiewicz MSN, RN, CNML, NE-BC, NPD-BC, CHSE

    Clinical Nurse Educator/Clinical Associate

    Heather Lachiewicz, MSN, RN, CNML, NE-BC, NPD-BC is a Clinical Nurse Educator in the CND. Heather works with faculty to design, nursing skills training sessions with students, and implement simulation-based learning activities throughout the curriculum.

    Heather earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, 2005) and Master of Science in Nursing in Health Care Systems with focuses in education and administration (MSN, 2010) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She began her nursing career as a Surgery Trauma Intensive Care Unit (SICU) nurse. Heather served in leadership roles such as preceptor, charge nurse, and manager of the Cardiac and Vascular Surgery ICUs (CVICUs) at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio and at Piedmont Hospital in Georgia. Under her leadership, her unit was awarded the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ (AACN) Silver Beacon Award for Excellence.

    Prior to coming to DUSON, Heather served as Nurse Residency Coordinator at Emory Healthcare teaching newly licensed nurses during the first year of their nursing career. She mentored and precepted both new and experienced nurses. Heather assisted in the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) reaccreditation of Emory Healthcare’s Nurse Residency program. In 2020, she was chosen as a finalist for the March of Dimes Georgia Nurse of the Year award. She has published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national conferences.

    She is a member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Association of Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Heather plans to pursue certification as a Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE).

    Office: 2136 Pearson Building
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    Raymond Brisson III, CHSOS

    Raymond Brisson III, CHSOS

    Technical Operations Coordinator

    Raymond Brisson III, CHSOS is the Technical Operations Coordinator for the CND. Raymond is responsible for 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 planning meetings 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 master calendar and with the Assistant Director in planning of the MSN Nurse Practitioner Intensives. 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 (Epic).

    Raymond attended the College of Idaho, where he studied social sciences. At DUSON, Raymond has served for several years on 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) and SimGHOSTS and has published in peer review journals and presented innovative simulation technology concepts at both International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) and SimOps.

    Office: 2134 Pearson Building
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    Nashonda Thomas, RMA

    NaShonda Thomas, RMA

    CND Lab Administrator

    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.

    Office: 2114 Pearson Building
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    Erika Smalls

    Erika Smalls

    Simulation Tech Specialist

    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).

    Office: 2115 Pearson Building
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