Susan Kilroy, PhD, RN, CHSE

My program of research centers on advancing health equity through simulation based education. I design and evaluate simulation interventions that strengthen interprofessional collaborative practice, enhance nursing clinical skills, and highlight community level factors such as bias, racism, and social determinants of health that influence care for underserved populations. I also bring extensive experience working with individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and women navigating the perinatal period without adequate support. This work reflects my longstanding commitment to using simulation, collaboration, and evidence based educational strategies to prepare a nursing workforce capable of delivering equitable, person centered care.

I have a strong and diverse background in nursing education across clinical and academic settings, including roles as a clinical nurse educator, Director of Nursing Education at a Level I trauma center, Director of Simulation at multiple universities, and Associate Professor. Having worked at two of the most diverse universities in the country (University of Illinois Chicago and Temple University) I have supported disadvantaged nursing students from admission through graduation. My efforts include developing and implementing mentorship programs, clinical skills workshops, and tutoring initiatives designed to promote student success and retention. My expertise spans conceptual and practical domains of nursing education, including intervention development, implementation, and evaluation, as well as mixed methods research. I have served as an investigator on national and federally funded grants and currently serve as Chair of the Pediatric Simulation Committee for the International Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Over the past seven years, I have directed two simulation laboratories and led educational operations in a Level I trauma center, experiences that have strengthened my fiscal management, organizational leadership, and ability to coordinate large, multidisciplinary teams.

With my combined strengths in leadership, research, simulation based education, and commitment to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, I am well positioned to serve nursing education. I am dedicated to advancing a diverse, culturally responsive nursing workforce prepared to meet the needs of underserved communities.