BY DANIELLE LEGARE    

First-year doctoral students from the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education’s counseling psychology and school psychology PhD program recently found out firsthand through “Friday Night at the ER”—an immersive simulation designed to teach collaboration under pressure.

This simulation, facilitated last fall by UB’s Office of Interprofessional Education, brought together students from across the health sciences to take on the challenge of running a hospital emergency room.

Amy Reynolds, professor and chair of GSE’s Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology, explained the significance of the experience: “It is vital that our doctoral students in counseling psychology and school psychology are exposed to and learn how to work in integrative health systems. Health care of the future needs to be interdisciplinary with an equity lens so that we can understand the structural challenges and address the mental and physical health needs facing our communities.”

The game places students in teams of four, with each player taking on the role of managing a department within a simulated hospital. For one hour, participants work together to manage patient care, handle unexpected challenges and keep costs in check. This experience gives students insights into systems thinking, innovation and data-driven decision-making.

The program is frequently used by hospitals, interprofessional education programs and Fortune 500 companies across the country.

The experience proved valuable for GSE students as they had the opportunity to see how their future work in counseling and school psychology intersects with other health fields, and how interprofessional collaboration is crucial in providing comprehensive care.

“Friday Night at the ER allowed me to connect with peers aspiring to work in the medical field. I found this seminar to be insightful, offering new perspectives that I am able to apply in my profession,” said Jessica Ackley, student in the counseling psychology and school psychology PhD program. “This experience created an opportunity to network while fostering growth and collaboration.”

Farid Mokhtari, also a student in the doctoral program, appreciated the emphasis on teamwork.

“I look at such an event as a great educational tool for fostering collaboration among group members. The event, which is designed as a game, puts each player in a position of interconnection with other players,” he said.

The event also gave participants a glimpse into the complexities of health care management. From tracking patient flow to navigating emergencies, the simulation drove home the importance of both teamwork and intelligent decision-making.

“While the game was designed with some predefined specific rules, it could also be an opportunity to show creativity in utilizing resources and managing our units or hospital as a whole,” Mokhtari said.

The opportunity to engage in this immersive experience highlights the importance of learning from and working with other professionals early in training. For GSE’s first-year doctoral students, it provided a practical, engaging way to develop essential teamwork skills they’ll rely on throughout their careers.

“I really enjoyed the Friday Night at the ER event as it provided me with the opportunity to connect with other students across various health care fields, learn and have fun all in one,” said PhD student Jahare Hudson.

“I learned what is meant by collaboration, and as a counseling psychology doctoral student, it is vital to not only learn about it, but also, it is important to experience it,” Hudson added. “I left that event with a renewed sense of community and partnership with those I got to know and participate with.”