Russell "Rusty" Doerr, lead simulation education specialist at the David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety, has retired after more than 30 years at West Virginia University.
Doerr's career in service began long before he arrived on the WVU Health Sciences Campus. Growing up in Elkins as the son of a fire service instructor, he traveled across West Virginia with his father to help with training classes.
This foundational experience not only gave him an early introduction to the importance of emergency services, but also the rewarding work of teaching others ways to do their jobs with more efficiency and safety.
From there, Doerr became a firefighter himself before completing National Registry paramedic training and critical care paramedic training. That led Doerr to join Randolph County Emergency Medical Services, and he later served as a flight paramedic for WVU Medicine, spending 28 years in pre-hospital care before moving into healthcare education.
In 2009, Doerr joined WVU Health Sciences to help launch a new simulation center, drawing on his clinical background and technical skills that he had developed through his career to provide something special to learners of all levels.
"I saw an opportunity to join a new program and build a place for learners to ask questions they were afraid to ask in the clinical environment and practice skills without the pressure of a real patient,” Doerr said. “I quickly embraced the thought that we were establishing new standards as well as transforming education into more experiential learning. Over the years, I became even more passionate about saving lives through educating the next generation.”
He earned a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from WVU and became a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, eventually leading him to be named lead simulation education specialist at STEPS.
“Rusty leaves behind a legacy defined by integrity, excellence and commitment to others. He has always demonstrated the importance of doing things the right way. His impact on healthcare extends far beyond the world of simulation education into the realm of patient safety and better outcomes,” Dan Summers, director of STEPS said. “His dedication has provided a base for which STEPS is not only a world-class program but well positioned for growth and future success. We will always be grateful for his years of service to STEPS, WVU and beyond.”
STEPS serves as the simulation center for all five of WVU's health science schools: Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. The 20,000-square-foot facility on the Health Sciences Campus includes operating rooms, ICU setups, patient exam rooms, a mother-child suite, and augmented and virtual reality equipment.
For Doerr, the value of simulation is simple: it gives learners the chance to learn by doing and build skills and confidence before working with real patients.
"Someone told me once that experience is something you gain just after you needed it. Simulation gives our learners the opportunity to gain something before it matters for a patient." he said.
When asked about any parting wisdom he’d like to leave with the future generation of healthcare workers, Doerr centered back on what matters most – the patient.
“Healthcare is a career where the only constant is change. Remember the past but embrace the future and never stop asking ‘what else can I do for my patient?’ Many times, that answer could be ‘nothing right now,’ but we always need to continue to look for better ways to help,” he said.
During his time at STEPS, Doerr also mentored a new generation of simulation educators, extending his influence beyond the students he trained directly. With a career rooted in service to others, Doerr noted his philosophy was unlikely to change with retirement and will still find ways to help.
“I believe we have started something very special. While I am happy with how far we have come, I feel there’s always a need to continue to grow and develop new opportunities for learners from all healthcare fields. Thanks to the help of some very generous people, we have been able to expand our footprint over the years, but there are many more opportunities for growth. I am excited to see what the next 15 years holds for STEPS,” Doerr concluded.
A celebration honoring his career took place on Thursday, July 9. His biggest goal in retirement is to spend more time with family and enjoy watching his grandchildren grow.
To learn more about STEPS, visit steps.wvu.edu.
