Danica MacRae

Director, Health Sciences Simulation Operations

Danica has been with ACC for nearly 10 years. As Director of the Regional Simulation Center, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the simulation lab, including managing resources, technology, and staff, while developing and implementing policies to ensure high standards. She leads the creation and evaluation of simulation curricula, ensuring they meet accreditation standards and educational goals, and provides training and support for faculty. Additionally, she manages scheduling and coordination of simulations, conducts data analysis for quality assurance, and oversees technical operations to support seamless simulation activities.

She is passionate about improving nursing and healthcare education, and utilizing her nursing experience to enhance patient care practices.

Mayra Suarez

Clinical Lab Coordinator

Mayra brings 9 years of experience in healthcare simulation to the table. She began her journey as a medical assistant and transitioned into healthcare education, initially working as a simulation technician before advancing to her current role as Clinical Lab Coordinator. As a Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS), she has actively contributed to simulation development, participated as a standardized patient, and engaged in various simulation committees.

David Tovar

Simulation Technician

David has been an important part of the simulation team since November 2023. In his role, he focuses on setting up simulation scenarios, calibrating equipment, and running maintenance on simulator programming. David’s skills make sure that every simulation is realistic and effective, helping us maintain the high standards of our educational programs.

Tom Reeber

Faculty, Simulation Coordinator

Tom has been passionate about simulation-based education since 2010 and was a founding member of the simulation team at ACC in 2016. He has played an important role in developing new simulation curricula, introducing innovative teaching strategies, and providing thorough training for faculty members. Since 2023, Tom has been the Simulation Coordinator for the Highland and Eastview campuses, where he oversees curriculum development and faculty training while actively contributing to the ongoing growth of ACC’s simulation program.

Montserrat Pichardo Marquez

Lab Assistant

Montse is currently studying at ACC and preparing to apply to the ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program. She has been a valued member of our team for 2 years, serving as a lab assistant. In this role, Montse handles lab setup and breakdown, manages healthcare supplies, and ensures that all materials are prepared for simulations. She also creates demonstrations of healthcare supplies to enhance the simulation experience for our students.

Nikolas Zukowsky

Administrative Assistant

Nikolas is the newest addition to our team, having joined in the summer of 2024. Coming from a background in film production, he brings an alternate perspective and creative ideas to the development and operation of the center. His main responsibilities include providing clerical, logistical, and organizational support to the simulation team.