Debra L. Spunt

Remembering a Beloved Nurse Leader

The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, as well as the nursing and health care community, are painfully mourning the loss of their colleague, teacher, and friend, Debra L. Spunt, who died of cancer March 9 at age 50.

The Educator

In her work as an educator, Debbie touched the lives of thousands of nursing students as an assistant professor and director of the clinical simulation laboratories at the School of Nursing. Her true passion was in the area of clinical simulation – the use of computerized human patient simulators and clinical case scenarios to educate nurses and other health care professionals. Her expertise for integrating the use of clinical simulation into the educational curriculum was second to none. She helped establish the School of Nursing’s 28 clinical simulation labs, which now serve as national and international models for student learning which will soon be named in Debbie’s honor. Debbie believed in experiential learning for students, allowing them to demonstrate their competency and sometimes make mistakes during simulated learning, so they would be better prepared to take care of actual patients.

An admitted perfectionist, Debbie always made sure the students dressed and acted appropriately while they worked in the labs. They wore lab coats, examination gloves, and of course, each student had his or her stethoscope around their neck and at the ready for any clinical scenario that might be presented to them. Students would comment on Debbie’s depth of clinical knowledge. One student said that you could be with Debbie just in passing and you would learn something from her. She was always welcoming and approachable.

The Clinician

Debbie also touched the lives of many patients at Northwest Hospital Center in Baltimore, where she worked on weekends as an administrative nurse coordinator. Her gift to the community, as an RN, is another example of Debbie’s commitment to nursing and health care.

Educational History

Once she had a goal in mind, Debbie persevered until she achieved that goal. Nursing was the career that Debbie chose early in life. Starting as an unpaid candy striper, she worked very hard to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and then her Master of Science degree, both from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Wanting to advance her nursing education even further, Debbie enrolled in the School’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and before her passing was awarded a certification of completion for the DNP degree.

Honors and Accomplishments

While she received many honors and awards throughout her life, her induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing is among the highest honor a nurse can achieve. The mention of this award always brought a smile to Debbie’s face. She was so proud of this achievement and so honored to be part of this elite group of nurses.

A Loving Mother

A tribute to Debbie Spunt cannot be written without acknowledging the love she had for her 15-year-old daughter, Ellen. Debbie was a terrific mother, and she was so very proud of Ellen. Most of us who knew Debbie well have heard loving (and sometimes humorous) stories about this wonderful young woman.

Irreplaceable

The search will soon begin for a new director for the School of Nursing’s clinical simulation labs. However, replacing Debbie Spunt is really not possible. She was the first, the pioneer, the leader, the expert, and the best in the world when it came to the design and operation of clinical simulation laboratories for nursing education.

This nurse, colleague, mentor, and friend – Debra L. Spunt – will be truly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. However, her legacy will live forever in the School of Nursing and memories of her will always remain with those whose lives she has touched.

Honoring Her Life’s Work

To honor her contributions to the School and to the nursing profession, and to celebrate her passion for promoting the use of clinical simulation in nursing education, practice, and research, please consider donating to Visit the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Practice and Research Endowment Fund homepage for more information »

To view a video dedication to Debbie, click here » (Real Media Player is needed)