Chris Karczmar, MFA, PgD
Standardized Patient Program Coordinator
Office of Academic Engagement and Student Success (OAESS)
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Contact
Building & Room:
College of Nursing LL40
Address:
845 S. Damen Avenue
Office Phone:
Email:
CV Download:
About
Chris has been the Standardized Patient (SP) Coordinator for the University of Illinois College of Nursing since 2021, and has been working in Simulation for approximately 18 years as an SP, SP Trainer, and SP Coordinator, in Canada, Oregon, and Chicago. He has also been a professional actor and acting technique teacher. In his role at UIC Nursing, Chris hires, recruits and trains over 40 SPs on patient depiction, facilitation of feedback, and use of anatomical and clinical terminology as needed. Chris also collaborates with faculty regarding SP “casting”, case instructions, and ensuring that SPs are supporting learning objectives. Chris utilizes human-based, hybrid and telehealth simulation modalities.
Chris has also presented at various international and regional conferences including the the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE), the Society for Simulation in Health Care (SSH), and the Northwest Simulation Alliance conference. He also leads an international feedback workgroup via ASPE.
Selected Grants
The Staff Advisory Council Professional Development Committee - University of Illinois, Chicago, Professional Development Funding, Association of Standardized Patient Educators Member
Selected Publications
Kilroy, S., Marks, B., Sawyer, K., Vanderzwan, K., Karczmar, C., Eades, A., & Brown, B. (2025). Utilizing Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education to Identify Differences in Healthcare Students’ Collaborative Practice Behaviors: A Mixed Method Study. Nurse Education Today. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106569
Kilroy, S., Brown, B., Karczmar, C., Marks, B., & Noorullah, K. (2025). Interprofessional Simulations Collaborating with Underserved Communities Toolkit. Collaboration between University of Illinois and Villanova University.
Service to Community
Chris has coached members of marginalized communities on presentational speaking, and directed staged readings for various community groups, including "With You on the Journey”-stories from the formerly incarcerated, produced at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, OR. He also volunteers regularly for social justice organizations.
Professional Leadership
Conference Presenter, Association for Standardized Patient Educators
Conference Presenter, Society for Simulation in Health Care
Founder/Facilitator, Standardized Patient Educators Feedback Workgroup, ASPE.
Notable Honors
1985, Jeff Award Best Ensemble, Joseph Jefferson Committee, Chicago, IL.,
1991, L.A. Weekly Award Best Ensemble, L.A. Weekly
2017, Short Film Best Actor Nomination, Action on Film Festival in Las Vegas
Education
2005, BA Bachelors degree in Arts in Education, State University of New York, New York.
2009, MFA Masters degree in Fine Arts-Theatre, York University, Toronto, ON.
Professional Memberships
- Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE), 2023-current
- Service Employees International Union (SEIU), 2022-current
- Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of TV and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
- Actors Equity Association (AEA)
- Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA)
Selected Presentations
- 2025 Karczmar, C., Yelen, M., & Vanderzwan, K. (June 2025). From Manikins to Humans: A Leap of Faith. Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE). Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 60-minute oral presentation.
- 2024 Karczmar, C., Ortiz, L. & Vanderzwan, K. The Great Feedback Debate. 2024 Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference; Vancouver, Canada; June 24, 2024.
- 2024 Karczmar, C., Ortiz, L. & Vanderzwan, K. Interprofessional Collaboration with Marginalized Patients. 2024 Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference; Vancouver, Canada; June 24, 2024.
- 2017 & 2018 Karczmar, C. Chatelain, T. Standardized Patient Onboarding and Training. International Meeting for the Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) Conference, and for Northwest Simulation Alliance.
Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits
Presentations for ASPE, SSH and Northwest Simulation Alliance conferences. Numerous appearances on stage and in television.