It is with immense gratitude and warm congratulations that the Center for Medical Simulation celebrates the retirement of Mark Jones, our Director of Simulation Technical Operations. Mark has had a storied and varied career across a number of industries, and we are honored that he chose to spend this chapter of it with us. One of those paths was touring as a rock band drummer, and just like a drummer, Mark’s work at CMS provided the critical time-keeping, pace, and structure to keep our team on beat and in the pocket.
Over the course of his time at CMS, Mark has been an indispensable force behind the day-to-day excellence that defines our simulation programs. His expertise, dedication, and attention to detail have ensured that our instructors and learners always had the support they needed to do their best work. Mark’s contributions in the control room, managing the operating theater, and directing simulations shaped the environment in which so many healthcare faculty and clinicians have trained.
We wish Mark joy, adventure, and the relaxation that retirement has to offer. But we can’t express our sentiments as well as Mark, who had the following message for the simulation community:
“To my friends, colleagues, and peers,
The time has come for me to share that I will be officially retiring from my role at Center for Medical Simulation at the end of June, with my final day on July 5th.
Looking back over a 40-year career in audiovisual technology and medical simulation, my overwhelming sentiment isn’t about the hardware or the systems—it’s immense gratitude. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to the people who took chances on me early on, the mentors who opened doors, and the incredible colleagues who turned into lifelong friends along the way. Any good fortune I’ve experienced in this industry is entirely due to the folks I was lucky enough to share the room with.
To everyone who collaborated with me, supported the mission, or just shared a laugh during a long day of production or training: you made this journey incredibly memorable.
As I step away from the daily operations, my focus is shifting toward intention. I am looking forward to being much more present in the everyday moments—traveling, spending time with my family, and reconnecting with my creative side. A big part of that includes hitting the stage with Supercharged Dirt, the band I have with my son, Nate. I’m incredibly excited to focus on recording music and producing projects in my studio without the distractions of a work calendar.
Please note that while I am retiring from the job, I am not retiring my LinkedIn page. I fully intend to remain an active part of this community. If you ever want to bounce an idea around, need advice on the field, or just want to talk shop about industry opportunities, please always feel free to reach out. I want to continue to be a resource for the peers and simulation professionals who are keeping the momentum going.
Thank you all for being such an important part of my story. I want to wish each of you the very best as you move forward through your own journeys—may your paths be just as meaningful, productive, and rewarding as mine has been.”
Once again, congratulations to Mark on his well-earned retirement, and we look forward to hearing the music.
