Our team
The PCH Simulation Team is a group of highly skilled and experienced staff who have a wealth of knowledge in the field of healthcare simulation, both in Australia and internationally.
Comprised of experts with diverse backgrounds and experience, our team brings a rich and dynamic perspective to every simulation. With years of hands-on experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating simulations, our team is well-equipped to develop realistic and effective simulation scenarios that meet the unique needs of our participants.
Our team's collaborative approach, coupled with their extensive understanding of simulation techniques and technologies, ensures that our simulations are engaging, impactful, and aligned with the desired learning outcomes.
Drawing on their deep expertise and vast international experience, the PCH Simulation Team is committed to delivering high-quality simulations that drive meaningful learning and enable our participants to achieve their learning goals.
Ellen Taylor
Co-director of Simulation and Consultant General Paediatrician
Qualifications: BM MRCPCH FRACP
Dr Ellen Taylor is a General Paediatrician and Medical Education Consultant.
She completed paediatric training in the UK before relocating to Perth. She has a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning for healthcare professionals with a strong interest in Simulation Education.
She has undertaken simulation instruction education in London and Perth. She has been Director of SimStart, an instructional course in Simulation Education since 2015 and is currently chair of the Clinical Simulation Training Advisory Network (CSTAN) to the Department of Health.
Ellen is involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of simulation education at Perth Children’s Hospital and co-leads with Dr Tom Rawlings.
Thomas Rawlings
Co-director of Simulation and Consultant Anaesthetist
Qualifications: MBBCh, FANZCA, FRCA
I have been involved in simulation training for over 15 years. I’ve established programs in the UK and Australia.
My interests mainly revolve around interprofessional team training in the acute medical environment.
I believe simulation is a vital tool for team training, systems change and improvements in quality and safety of patient care in a hospital setting.
Thomas Volkman
Co-Director of Simulation and Consultant General Paediatrician
Qualifications: FRACP, MBBS, B. Med Sci. MPHTM. Dip PaedID, Dip Allergy, Cert HealthProfEd
Dr Tom Volkman is a General Paediatrician and Medical Education Consultant.
He completed his paediatric training between PMH, RCH (Vic) and GOSH (UK). He has a Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare professionals' education (UWA) and has a strong interest in simulation education having completed training courses in Simulation Education in Queensland and Perth.
Dr Volkman has been the paediatric simulation lead at hospitals in QLD and WA and enjoys designing and delivering high fidelity simulation education experiences across a variety of disciplines.
Dr Volkman has also led low fidelity simulation activities in humanitarian settings.
Dr Cameron Yap
Simulation Fellow (2024) and General Paediatrician.
Qualifications: MBBS
Dr Cameron Yap has recently completed his General Paediatric training with the Royal Australian College of Physicians.
Cameron completed his medical degree at the University of Western Australia and has worked at Perth Children’s Hospital since it’s opening in 2018.
Cameron has found simulation to be a useful tool in developing clinical confidence and communication skills to improve real life patient care.
Dr Katherine Wilson
Simulation Consultant
Qualifications: MBBS (Hons), FRACP (PEM)
Dr Katherine Wilson is a Paediatric Emergency Physician working in the Emergency Department and in Simulation Education at Perth Children’s Hospital.
Katherine has been involved in the education of medical students, nurses and junior doctors throughout her career.
She is has been an APLS instructor for over 10 years and completed the SIMStart course in 2019.
Jon Mould
High Fidelity Simulation Co-ordinator
Qualifications: PhD, RSCN, RGN, RMN, Adult Cert Ed.
Jon has more than 15 years’ experience in healthcare simulation which has included a variety of roles in tertiary education and clinical practice. His expertise in immersive simulation includes teamwork and communication, and he has skills in designing, delivering and debriefing immersive clinical scenarios. He also has excellent technical skills with many different high fidelity mannequins which is essential to ensuring that the courses and sessions we deliver run smoothly.
Heidi Best
Simulation Educator
Qualifications: BSc Nsg, MPH & TM, PGDip Paed Crit Care, PGDip Mid; GDip Tert Ed, GDip Intercult Stud.
Heidi originates from the rural Wheatbelt region of Western Australia and has over 23 years of experience as a Paediatric Nurse. Her diverse clinical background includes neonatology, paediatric critical care, paediatric aeromedical retrieval, maternity, rural and regional general medical/surgical paediatrics and international public health. She has experience working in numerous health services within WA, Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand. Over the past 12 years Heidi has been working in tertiary and clinical education alongside her clinical career.
Heidi has a passion for simulation-based training, including in-situ simulation, with the goal of empowering team communication and clinical learning to improve patient care delivery and outcomes. Over the past five years, after completing simulation training with the Brisbane based Clinical Skills Development Service (CSDS), Heidi worked closely with the Children's Health Qld STORK team (Simulation Training Optimising Resuscitation in Kids), in co-ordinating and facilitating various paediatric care and resuscitation simulation programs for regional Central Queensland.
David Barrett
Simulation Educator
Qualifications: RPN, RCN, Dip (Nursing), BA (Hons), HDip (Paediatric Nursing), GradDip (Paediatric Emergency Nursing)
Having worked for many years as a paediatric emergency nurse in both Ireland and Australia, David has witnessed firsthand the importance of effective teamwork and communication skills in improving patient outcomes and reducing medical errors. As a result, he is particularly interested in the transformative power of simulation-based learning and its use in education and training to improve Crisis Resource Management (CRM) skills.
David has been involved in the development and implementation of several innovative simulation programs and is committed to improving patient safety by empowering healthcare professionals with the tools they need to handle critical situations effectively.
Elena Aringo
Administrative Officer
Qualifications: MBA, BCom (Management Major)
Elena has 10 years’ experience in administrative roles with Child and Adolescent Community Health (CACH) supporting clinicians and child health nurses. She has demonstrated proficiency in all core office administration functions and has adapted the values of delivering sustainable health service to the community whilst maintaining confidentiality.
Elena also has a background in Financial Management and Knowledge Management from previous work in a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to addressing developmental problems of local, national and international significance through the conduct of training, education and research in good governance and productivity improvement.