Nancy M. Tofil, MD, MEd, Medical Director 

Dr. Tofil is the medical director of the simulation center.  She obtained her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and her masters of education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Dr. Tofil is part of the division of pediatric critical care working in the pediatric intensive care unit and with the deep sedation service.  Besides directing the simulation center, Dr Tofil is the Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Training Program.

Marjorie Lee White, MD, MPPM, MEd, Medical Co-Director
 Dr. White is the medical co-director of the simulation center. She was awarded a bachelor’s in history and American studies from Princeton University. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She also obtained her Master’s in education from UAB and her Master’s in Public and Private Management from Birmingham-Southern College. Dr. White practices pediatric emergency medicine at Children's of Alabama as a member of the division of pediatric emergency medicine of the Department of Pediatrics at UAB. She has had advanced training in simulation from the Center for Medical Simulation, Cambridge, Massachusetts and has been involved with the center since its inception. She enjoys teaching medical students, pediatric and emergency medicine residents and fellows. Her particular interests are in inter-professional simulations and team training.

J. Lynn Zinkan, RN, BSN, MPH, CPEN, Nurse Educator 

Lynn is a nurse educator in the Simulation Center.  She is a graduate of the Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing and received her masters in public health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Lynn has been a pediatric nurse for over 25 years working as an intensive care unit, emergency department and critical care transport nurse.

Amber Q. Youngblood, RN, BSN, CPN, Nurse Educator 

Amber is a nurse educator in the Pediatric Simulation Center.  She joined the Nursing Education and Research Center in 2009 after 18 years as a staff nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  She has been employed at Children's Hospital since 1991.

Dawn Taylor Peterson, PhD, Director of Education and Research

Dawn Taylor Peterson is the Director of Education & Research at the Pediatric Simulation Center.  She holds a PhD in Instructional Design, as well as an Educational Specialist degree and Master of Arts in Education.  She completed her simulation training at the Comprehensive Instructor Course at the Center for Medical Simulation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Dr. Peterson’s primary interests are adult learning theory, cognitive instructional strategies, and designing and developing educational research studies.