Dr. Bryan Fulton, director of health professions labs and simulations at OCCC, has been named a 2026 “Health Care Hero” by The Journal Record newspaper, an honor that recognizes his contributions to healthcare education and student success.
Fulton has worked at OCCC since 2018 and currently serves in multiple roles across campus. He oversees the college’s simulation center, which supports seven different academic programs. He also directs the anesthesia technology program and teaches medical terminology courses as an adjunct instructor.
When asked about receiving the award, Fulton described a mix of pride and humility.
“I was excited,” he said, “but I was humbled” as well.
Fulton emphasized that his work is deeply collaborative, rather than independent, in nature.
“Almost everything I do is not done in isolation,” he explained. “It’s done with a team.”
Fulton spoke highly of the colleagues he works with every day in the simulation center.
“I have a wonderful team here … I get the pleasure of working with them,” he said, noting that their shared effort plays a major role in student success.
A central focus of Fulton’s work is supporting the mission of OCCC.
“I want to promote the college’s mission,” he said, explaining that the mission centers on “student success and community enrichment.”
For Fulton, this mission shapes everything he does on the job. He explained that students come into healthcare programs with their own vision of success.
“Every student has a particular image of what success looks like,” he said. “A lot of that is they want to go in and be prepared to be one of those professions.”
Because of that goal, he believes his responsibility is clear: “My job should be to make them successful.”
Fulton also highlighted how the work performed at OCCC extends beyond the classroom into the broader community.
“When those students are successful and learn skills successfully, they will make the community around us better,” he said. “They’re going to provide safe care, empathetic care, for people.”
Even in roles where students may not directly interact with him, Fulton believes his work still has an impact.
“Even if they never see my face, I want to make sure that the conditions here are set up to make what they see as success a success,” he said.
Looking toward the future, Fulton expressed a strong commitment to continuing his work at OCCC.
“I really love what I’m doing here at OCCC,” he said.
After spending more than five years at the college, he feels connected to its mission and leadership.
“I understand this institution fairly well,” he added.
Rather than focusing on a specific title or position, Fulton said his future goals are guided by purpose.
He said he welcomes “whatever opportunity fits with my personal mission,” always asking himself: “Is the next opportunity going to help me serve more students and make an even bigger positive impact?”
For Fulton, the answer to that question will determine his path forward.
“If it’s serving students and expanding how I can serve students,” he said, “that’s where I see myself.”
Fulton’s recognition as a “Health Care Hero” reflects not only his leadership but also his dedication to teamwork, student success and community impact. Through his work in simulation-based education, he continues to help prepare future healthcare professionals to enter the workforce with confidence, skill and compassion.
