With deep regret, we announce the passing of Mike Kammerman, a treasured colleague and cornerstone of the simulation education program at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions.
Mike joined the Department of Nurse Anesthesia in 2009, transitioning from his prior role as Simulation and Weapons of Mass Destruction Technician in the VCU Health Systems Emergency Department, where he brought valuable paramedic-level expertise to the academic setting.
In addition to his retired EMT-P (Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic) credential from the Yale New-Haven Hospital Paramedic Education Program in 1993, where he was class president, he has over 15 years of experience developing high-fidelity simulation technologies and holds certifications as a CHSE (Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator) and CHSOS (Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist).
His leadership transformed the department’s 3,000-square-foot Center for Research in Human Simulation into a state-of-the-art facility that integrated scenario-based training, task trainer development, and patient safety initiatives, elevating the educational experience for nurse anesthesia students and other health professions learners across Virginia.
Mike Kammerman played a pivotal role in bringing cutting-edge simulation tools and methodologies to classrooms, enabling realistic, hands-on training that prepared future healthcare professionals for complex clinical scenarios with greater confidence and competence. He oversaw the design and implementation of immersive environments that mirrored real-world operating rooms and emergency situations, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and procedural mastery among learners.
His contributions extended to simulation research, faculty development, and collaborative projects that enhanced interdisciplinary education within the College of Health Professions. Colleagues valued his infectious enthusiasm, mentorship, and collegiality, which strengthened professional relationships and created a supportive atmosphere for innovation in simulation-based learning.
In honoring him, the community recognizes a life well lived—one defined by unwavering dedication to education, patient safety, and the advancement of simulation as a cornerstone of modern healthcare training. Mike exemplified the quiet excellence of professionals who work behind the scenes to equip others for lifesaving work, leaving behind a foundation of knowledge and inspiration that will benefit generations of practitioners.
The VCU College of Health Professions and the Department of Nurse Anesthesia now navigate the profound absence of this foundational figure, whose vision and hands-on leadership shaped the simulation program’s success and reputation. Future training sessions will carry forward the high standards he established, serving as a living tribute to his influence on student preparedness and faculty development.
