The clinical practice of medicine often involves stressors and interruptions that negatively impact performance. However, increased stress can also enhance some memory formation which may enhance learning. During this presentation, we will discuss what is known about the impact of stress on performance and memory with a focus on the implications this has for using stress during experiential learning.

Biosketch: Torrey A. Laack, M.D., is a consultant in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Laack is Medical Director of the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center. He joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2002 and holds the academic rank of associate professor of emergency medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Dr. Laack attended Calvin College for his undergraduate degree in biology and earned his M.D. from Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Dr. Laack has been the medical director for the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center since 2013. In that role, he provides leadership of a busy, multidisciplinary simulation center with approximately 25 staff and more than 8000 learners annually that provides high-quality learning experiences through experiential education for medical students, nurses, residents, and faculty. He has worked collaboratively to grow experiential learning across the Mayo Clinic enterprise. This has included expanding Mayo Clinic's leadership in simulation education research and procedural skills training. Dr. Laack serves as chair of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Directors Section, made up of more than 900 simulation center directors from around the world.

Dr. Laack has authored articles that have been published in prominent peer-reviewed journals such as Simulation in Healthcare, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Academic Emergency Medicine, and The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. He also holds reviewer responsibilities for Western Journal of Emergency Medicine and Medical Education.

In recognition of his work, Dr. Laack has received Excellence in Teaching awards conferred by Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, as well as the Quarterly Clinical Excellence Award, the Faculty Recognition Award, and the Faculty Appreciation Award for Simulation Education conferred by the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Laack provides mentorship to medical students, residents, and fellows. He has been nationally recognized for his leadership of the Emergency Medicine Clerkship. He is a leader in care review and quality improvement. His clinical expertise includes envenomation injuries and international emergency medicine. Dr. Laack has provided medical care to patients in Kenya, India, and Mexico in addition to being a team leader for Mayo Clinic Haiti Disaster Relief teams.