Center for Trauma and Critical Care Education

Faculty Biosketch

Dr. Patrick Simmons is a nationally registered paramedic with decades of volunteer EMS experience in rural Virginia. He first became certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1996 through a high school program and continued advancing his clinical training during college, becoming a Shock Trauma Technician in 2000 and a Cardiac Technician in 2003. A graduate of the 2012 VCU Paramedic Program, Patrick remains active in volunteer service as a life member of the Cumberland Volunteer Rescue Squad and a member of the Mid-County Volunteer Rescue Squad, continuing to care for patients in rural communities.

Prior to joining the VCU Center for Trauma and Critical Care Education (CTCCE), Patrick worked in Virginia public education as a science teacher and later as an elementary and middle school principal.

Those experiences shaped his approach to teaching, emphasizing clear expectations, supportive learning environments, and shared responsibility for learning. Patrick values hands-on and project-based learning and believes students build competence through practice, problem solving, and guided reflection rather than memorization alone. He encourages learners to take ownership of their progress while providing structure and feedback to support growth. He applies these principles in EMS education through scenario-based training, practical application, and discussion designed to strengthen clinical reasoning, decision-making, and confidence alongside technical skill.

At CTCCE, Patrick works to expand access to EMS education through outreach and training initiatives, including teaching EMS education courses, supporting the Breaking Barriers EMT program, and contributing to CARA Grant and Rural Trauma Grant activities that increase training opportunities in rural and underserved communities.

Patrick holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, a post-master’s certificate in Educational Leadership from VCU, a Master of Science in Science Education from Montana State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a minor in Biology and a concentration in Elementary Education from Longwood University.