Simulation Academy Leadership

Tina Chen, MD

President

Saint Louis University

Tina Chen, MD, is simulation director for the emergency medicine residency at Saint Louis University. She is also associate dean of simulation and clinical skills for the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Dr. Chen designs and implements simulation-based curricula for learners across the continuum of medical education.

She is an active leader in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). She has served on the Simulation Academy executive committee since 2020 in multiple roles, including member-at-large, vice president of the education subcommittee, and secretary. Through this work, Dr. Chen has contributed to advancing collaboration, scholarship, and professional development within the simulation community.

Stephanie Stapleton, MD

President-Elect

Boston Medical Center/Boston University

Stephanie Stapleton, MD, is director of emergency medicine simulation at Boston Medical Center and an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

Dr. Stapleton is an active leader in simulation education and research. She has served on the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Simulation Academy executive board as treasurer and vice president of research and scholarship.

Her scholarly work focuses on simulation innovation, including procedural training, pediatric resuscitation, and distance simulation. She has published and presented nationally on simulation research and innovations. Her interests include translational simulation, procedural education, and development of a scholarly community in emergency medicine simulation.

Dr. Stapleton has received multiple awards for her contributions to simulation, including the SAEM Simulation Academy Research and Change Agent awards.

Aga De Castro, MD, MPH

Treasurer

Hartford Hospital / University of Connecticut

Aga De Castro, MD, MPH, is an emergency medicine physician at Hartford Hospital, a University of Connecticut School of Medicine Level 1 trauma center affiliate, and an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Dr. De Castro earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Connecticut. He completed a medical simulation fellowship at Hartford Hospital.

He currently serves as assistant fellowship director of the medical simulation fellowship program at Hartford Hospital, with a focus on simulation-based education and training in emergency medicine.

Afrah A. Ali, MBBS

Secretary

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Afrah A. Ali, MBBS, is associate dean of clinical simulation and an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

Dr. Ali earned her medical degree from Gulf Medical University. She then completed emergency medicine residencies in Abu Dhabi and at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Additionally, she completed a fellowship in clinical simulation at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Also, Dr. Ali is pursuing a Master of Health Professions Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Her work focuses on simulation-based education, interprofessional teamwork, and mentorship. She oversees simulation programs across undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and interprofessional training.

Dr. Ali is active in national organizations, serving as co-chair of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine Simulation Interest Group. She has received the American Heart Association Young Investigator Award and contributed to peer-reviewed publications and national and international presentations in simulation-based education.

Tiffany Moadel, MD

Immediate Past President

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Stephanie Cohen, DO

Vice President of Membership

University of Central Florida

Stephanie Cohen, DO, is a core faculty member, simulation director, and simulation fellowship director at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Cohen completed her emergency medicine residency at the University at Buffalo, where she served as chief resident. She also completed a simulation fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

She is an active member of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Simulation Academy, where she has held leadership roles including vice president of membership. In this role, she has led initiatives to expand membership, enhance engagement, and develop programs. Her efforts have led to mentorship opportunities, recognition awards, and recruitment efforts.

Her work focuses on advancing simulation education and fostering a supportive and collaborative community for learners and educators across all levels of training.

Alexander Croft, MD

Vice President of Research/Scholarship

Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

Alex Croft, MD, is director of simulation at Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Croft leads simulation programs across the School of Medicine, the Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Barnes-Jewish Christian HealthCare system. His work focuses on advancing translational simulation-based research and building infrastructure to support innovation and collaboration.

He is active in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Simulation Academy. He has also contributed to initiatives supporting research and scholarship, including implementation of Just-in-Time funding awards. His interests include simulation, research, and team-based approaches to advancing academic emergency medicine.

Dr. Croft is committed to fostering collaboration and developing programs that support career-long success in simulation research and education.

Sarah Rose Rabinowitz, MD

Vice President of Social Media & Communication

Northwell Health

Janice Shin-Kim, MD

Vice President of Education

Columbia University Medical Center

Danier Ong, MD

Fellow

University of California, Davis

Danier Ong, MD, is a medical education and simulation fellow at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Ong completed her emergency medicine residency at Saint Louis University, where she served as chief resident. During residency, she also held a national leadership role as vice chair of the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association Simulation Committee.

Her work focuses on curriculum design and the integration of simulation to enhance medical education. She is committed to advancing simulation-based training and fostering a collaborative and inclusive community for learners and educators.

Marcus William Sinewe, MD

Fellow

Stanford University

Marcus Sinewe, MD, is a simulation education fellow and clinical instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University.

Dr. Sinewe earned his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Additionally, he  completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Washington. He also holds an undergraduate degree in engineering from the University of Toledo.

His work focuses on simulation-based education, team collaboration, and trauma care. Also, he has interest in austere medicine, cross-specialty training, and social emergency medicine. He has extensive experience in military medicine, serving as an emergency physician and Ground Surgical Team instructor in the United States Air Force.

Dr. Sinewe’s contributions have been recognized with multiple military honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Commendation Medal. He is also a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.