HEROES > About HEROES

About HEROES


HEROES - Healthcare and Emergency Responder Organization Education through Simulation

Emergency Preparedness training and education for healthcare, community preparedness and public safety professionals and students across the state of Nebraska, and beyond.

HEROES is an interdisciplinary approach to preparedness for natural and manmade disaster emergencies with CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive) implications.

The program's goal is to simulate potential emergency and public health threats. Simulation is a safe place to reduce anxiety, promote learning, and maintain confidence in emergency response skills. Experiential learning is a cornerstone for HEROES Program education whereby participants "learn by doing" and reflect on the learning experience.

Spearheaded by the UNMC College of Nursing, we collaborate with the College of Medicine, College of Allied Health Professions and the Center for Preparedness and Emergency Response Solutions.

Funded through a University of Nebraska programs of Excellence Grant, HEROES provides education through its website and Mobile Simulation Unit.

HEROES Personnel


Beth Beam, HEROES Program Director

Beth Beam, RN, PhD

Program Director
College of Nursing
University of Nebraska Medical Center


Andrew Oxtoby, HEROES Program Coordinator

Andrew Oxtoby

Program Coordinator
College of Nursing
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Contact Us

The HEROES Program would love to partner with you! To schedule simulation training, propose a project, or if you have general questions, please contact our Program Coordinator via the email, phone, or mailing address below.

HEROES Program Coordinator

Email: heroes@unmc.edu

Phone: (402) 559-6555

UNMC College of Nursing
985330 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5330


Stephen Smith, HEROES Instructional Technologist

Stephen Smith

Instructional Technologist
College of Nursing
University of Nebraska Medical Center

HEROES Consultants


Brittany Schlueter, HEROES Program Consultant

Brittany Schlueter, MSN, RN, EMT

Program Consultant
College of Nursing
University of Nebraska Medical Center


Sara Bills, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Education

Sara E. Bills, PT, DPT, GCS

Program Consultant
College of Allied Health Professions
University of Nebraska Medical Center

HEROES Partners


Philip W. Smith

Phillip W. Smith, M.D.

Emeritus Faculty
(Professor, Internal Medicine)
University of Nebraska Medical Center


Sharon Medcalf

Sharon Medcalf, PhD, MEd, RN

Co-Director for the Center for Preparedness Education
University of Nebraska Medical Center