Catherine (Ina) Farestad, BS

Catherine (Ina) Farestad joined the UCLA Simulation Center in 2025 as a Simulation Specialist. She brings over eight years of experience as a Senior Standardized Patient (SP) at DGSOM, where she worked closely with educators, faculty and students to create and portray realistic, patient-centered encounters and assess medical student performance. She also brings expertise in project management and creating immersive environments through her background in producing award-winning films, teaching Swedish and high-level hospitality, including eight seasons on superyachts.

Catherine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Linköping University, where her thesis focused on undocumented migrants’ right to healthcare, and a Master of Science in Global Studies from Lund University in Sweden.

Originally from Sweden with Filipino and Norwegian roots, Catherine is multilingual and passionate about cross-cultural understanding. Outside of DGSOM, she enjoys time with her family and friends and performs in an ABBA tribute band.