Assistant Professor & Director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center for the School of Nursing
Long Island University, Post Campus New York
Dr. Debra McWilliams graduated from Molloy University in 2023 and with over 17 years of experience in simulation-based education, Dr. Debra McWilliams serves as the Director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center at Long Island University Post. A long-standing simulation champion, she has led the successful endorsement of her university’s simulation program and continues to push the boundaries of immersive learning.Dr.McWilliams’s work focuses on creating innovative simulation experiences that foster deep engagement, critical thinking, and empathy. Her key initiatives include simulations addressing human trafficking and nurse policy entrepreneurship, blending advocacy, clinical judgment, and interprofessional collaboration. Her dissertation research explored teaching the concept of caring in simulation, which remains central to her simulation design philosophy.She has developed a variety of creative, high-impact learning experiences such as "Mardi Gras Triage," "Minute It to Sim It," and "Step Up and Speak Out, Quickfire NCLEX Wellness Walk," all designed to reinforce core nursing competencies in dynamic and memorable ways. A passionate educator and mentor, Dr.McWilliams is committed to advancing the science of simulation to prepare future healthcare professionals for the complex realities of practice.