Rate My Professor Erik Rufa

An accomplished internal medicine specialist originally from the United States, Dr. Rufa possesses extensive expertise in simulation-based medical education. His career includes seven years of dedicated work in simulation training in the Boston area, followed by his role as Director of Education for the simulation centre at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Relocating to Aotearoa New Zealand in April 2022, he commenced his association with the University of Otago at Gisborne Hospital as the Faculty of Medicine's Associate Dean for Tairāwhiti. He assumed the OCSL Directorship in December 2023. Dr. Rufa's strategic priorities for OCSL involve integrating its programs into Te Whatu Ora Southern's quality and safety frameworks, developing interprofessional educational opportunities, and expanding the team's capacity, physical spaces, and equipment resources. These endeavors aim to strengthen experiential learning, elevate training standards for future healthcare professionals, and contribute to superior patient care outcomes through innovative simulation methodologies.