John M. O'Donnell

Dr. John M. O'Donnell serves as Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, with additional leadership as Associate Director of the Winter Institute for Simulation Education (WISER). Previously chair of the Department of Nurse Anesthesia, he drives innovation in nursing education through simulation-based learning and patient safety research.

His academic credentials include:

• BSN, Carlow College (1983)
• MSN in Anesthesia, University of Pittsburgh (1991)
• DrPH in Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh (2009)

Dr. O'Donnell's research spans patient safety in anesthesia, simulation educational methodology, debriefing techniques, and clinical preceptor development. He created the GAS Debriefing Tool adopted by the American Heart Association and co-developed the iSIM course deployed globally in 20+ nations. His work integrates translational science to optimize simulation best practices and improve healthcare education outcomes.

His scientific awards and honors include:

• Pitt Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2011)
• Pittsburgh Magazine’s Nurse Educator of the Year (2017)
• Cameos of Caring Nurse Educator Award (2010)
• AANA National Program Director of the Year (2006)
• University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Innovation Award
• Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (FSSH)
• Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FAANA)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)

As principal investigator, Dr. O'Donnell has secured over $3 million in grants, including a Coulter Foundation Innovations Grant for the "BodyExplorer" augmented reality system. This project, which earned the Chancellor’s Innovation Award, led to his co-founding of LUMIS Corp. for commercialization. He also provides consultancy services in simulation accreditation and educational technology.

Dr. O'Donnell co-chairs the WISER Research Committee and maintains active clinical credentials at UPMC Presbyterian. His international collaborations include partnerships with Taipei Medical University, Peking Union Medical Center, and Wuhan institutions to advance simulation-based medical education.