From Army Reserve to Simulation Technician: Menear Redefines Health Care Education at WV STEPS

From the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Command to simulation technician at WV STEPS, Brian Menear believes working in health care can look different than the traditional hospital setting.

The Greene County, Pennsylvania, native, always wanted to educate and help others. Menear had a strong connection to West Virginia University, with his grandmother working as a certified nursing assistant at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Her influence, along with the buzz surrounding the show “ER,” Menear became interested in health care.

During his senior year of high school, Menear joined the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Command as a patient administration specialist and served in the medical unit in Fairmont. While in his patient administration course, he was introduced to medical simulation practices.

“During that time my class participated in field training exercises with the combat medic’s class as ‘casualties.’ This was my first experience with moulage and simulation of being pulled from a tank, treated by the medics and then MEDEVAC’d on a chopper for further treatment. I thought this was a fantastic tool to put skills they’d learned into hands-on practice.”

Menear received an associate degree in medical assisting from West Virginia Junior College, where he gained experience in patient care while working in family practice, surgery, dermatology and public health education. He later joined WVU Medicine as a registration specialist, where he learned about STEPS. After some time at STEPS, Menear had the opportunity to take some EMT classes and later worked for the community ambulance service in Bruceton Mills, WV for a little over a year.

“I think all of my experiences can offer something for learners from a different point of view. Not every learner will wind up working at a hospital. Some may work for small companies or small organizations.”

In his current role as the simulation technician, Menear is responsible for running simulations and setting up equipment for all schools within WVU Health Sciences. He also teaches basic life support and first aid classes and assists colleagues with patient simulators or training. Menear enjoys watching students learn during simulations.

“My favorite part of my job is the learners. Watching them grow in their skills, knowledge and confidence. Seeing learners in STEPS and then later seeing them taking care of patients I've brought into the ER, or them taking care of family members after they’ve passed through our doors. It's very rewarding. [I enjoy] also helping students learn skills or improve on anything that they are struggling with.”

Menear finds the simulations at WV STEPS create a safe space for students to gain confidence in their skills and receive constructive feedback before entering the healthcare field.

“Be all in for the experience. You know it’s a simulation, we know it’s a simulation, but if you treat it as reality and do it just like you would for real, you will get the most out of it. You will also learn just how much you know.”

Menear’s advice to students interested in health care is to research and learn about all the different aspects of the field.

“It is a tough field to work in but very rewarding when you are able to help someone when they need you the most. You could shadow someone for a day at the office or hospital, ask an EMS service if they allow “ride alongs.” If a certain field excites you or peaks your interest it's probably a good fit for you.”

- WVU -

po/2/17/25

MEDIA CONTACT: Christie Matyola
Senior Communications Specialist
WVU Health Sciences
732-966-2107; christie.matyola@hsc.wvu.edu