Jennifer Marks, PhD is the new Communication Simulation Coordinator for the Colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine at UGA. Her innovative joint appointment will expand the use of simulated patient and client experiences to advance communication training across multiple health platforms and professions.
Dr. Marks, who earned her PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies at UGA, brings more than a decade of experience designing and leading standardized patient and simulated client programs. Since 2014, she has been a driving force behind the growth of UGA’s simulation initiatives, helping expand the program from its original collaboration with the Medical Partnership in Athens to now include pharmacy, veterinary medicine, social work, and more.
“After graduating from UGA, our students enter their chosen profession practice-ready, not only with clinical knowledge, but with the communication skills essential to effective, compassionate care,” Dr. Marks said. “Simulation provides a safe, structured space to practice conversations that can be among the most difficult in a healthcare career.”
In her new role, Dr. Marks will:
- Recruit and train simulated patients and clients to support pharmacy and veterinary curricula
- Design and facilitate simulations that range from routine interactions to emotionally charged scenarios, allowing students to practice and refine their communication strategies
- Develop an undergraduate pre-health communication course, giving aspiring health professionals an early foundation in relationship-centered care
- Collaborate with faculty to assure simulated encounters align with learning objectives, from formative feedback to high-stakes assessments
Dr. Marks’ expertise lies in merging theatre and healthcare education. Highlighted in a recent article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, her training draws from methods of theatre techniques, such as improvisation, enabling actors to portray clients realistically and provide useful feedback to students. These experiences prepare students for real-world situations, from providing patient education and preventive care conversations, to navigating the delivery of difficult news to a patient.
Her leadership has resulted in notable program expansions, including the design of new communication facilities at the College of Veterinary Medicine and the launch of collaborative projects being implemented in curriculums across UGA. She has co-led communication workshops, co-authored several interdisciplinary grants based in client care, and has presented nationally on the role of theatre in health communication.
Looking ahead, Dr. Marks hopes to further integrate communication simulation into UGA’s health professions training, strengthening interprofessional education and preparing students across disciplines for the realities of practice.
“Dr. Mark’s unique expertise bridges performance and health education in ways that make our students better prepared for patient care,” said Dr. Lori Duke, Assistant Dean of Experience Programs at the College of Pharmacy. “Her work exemplifies UGA’s commitment to innovative, student-centered training. We are thrilled she will be a part of our team.”
