Debra Nestel is a Professor of Simulation Education in Healthcare at Monash University and a Professor of Surgical Education at the Department of Surgery at, the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is the program lead for the Graduate Programs in Clinical Simulation (Monash University) and the Graduate Programs in Surgical Education (University of Melbourne). Debra leads a national faculty development program for simulation practitioners – NHET-Sim. Debra also leads an international simulated patient network. Debra’s education and research activities have three overlapping strands: simulation as an educational method; educational research in medicine and surgery; and faculty development. Debra’s research has been cited over 13K times, and she has an h-index of 58. Debra has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers in health professions education and edited five books and a major reference work. In 2021, Debra received the award of Member of the Order of Australia for her service to healthcare simulation. She has received other national awards for her work in education and healthcare simulation, including a Presidential Citation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Debra was founding Editor-in-Chief, Advances in Simulation and is Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Healthcare Simulation.  

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Victoria, Australia, 1977-1979 
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, SAR, China,1992-1998
  • Fellow, Academy of Medical Educators, UK, 2012
  • Fellow, Academy of Surgical Educators, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Australia, 2013
  • Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator - Advanced, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, USA, 2013-2017
  • Fellow, Academy of Simulation Educators, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, USA, 2017

My education and research activities have three overlapping strands: simulation as an educational method; educational research in medicine and surgery; and faculty development. 

To view a complete list of Dr. Nestel's publications view her ResearchGate profile or CV.

View ResearchGate Profile

Publications List

Awards and Honors

Member of the Order of Australia, 2021

The Member of the Order of Australia is awarded by the Australian government for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.

Hamilton Russell Medal and Lecture, 2017

Awarded by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Inaugural Fellow, Academy, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, 2017

The SSH Academy recognizes individuals whose sustained contributions have had an impact on the field of healthcare simulation. 

Monash University-OLT Teacher Innovation and Impact Award, 2016

For STOP-FALLS – Simulation Training On Prevention of FALLS 

Nominated for Vice-Chancellor’s Education and Research Awards, 2015

For NHETSim program at Monash University

Nominated for Office of Learning and Teaching Award, 2015

For National Health Education and Training in Simulation (NHET-Sim) Category: Innovation and flexibility in curricula, learning and teaching at Monash University