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Keynotes and Workshops

2026 Keynotes and Workshops

Opening Keynote

When Needs Lead: Building Efficient, Sustainable Simulation Programs (All Presenters)

This opening keynote will explore how intentional needs assessment moves simulation programs from well-meaning assumptions to true alignment across operations, education, and resources. Presenters will use attendee data to show how to drive targeted simulationists’ development, operational efficiency, and sustainable program growth.

Learning objectives

  • Explain how intentional needs assessment supports alignment across operations, education, and resources.
  • Interpret needs assessment data to identify priorities for targeted simulationist development, operational improvement, and efficient use of resources.
  • Apply a needs-driven framework to plan actionable strategies that support sustainable growth and effectiveness in simulation programs.

Workshops

Awareness of Professional Standards (Jarrod Young)

This workshop will guide simulation professionals through the essential foundations of ethical, safe, and high-quality simulation practice. Participants will explore the SSH Healthcare Simulationist Code of Ethics, the Standards of Best Practice, and the Healthcare Simulation Dictionary to develop a shared language and understanding of professional expectations. The session will also cover the purpose and impact of a clear mission and vision and provide practical strategies to ensure physical and psychological safety for learners, staff, and observers alike. Through discussion and case examples, attendees will leave equipped to strengthen program integrity, foster trust, and create simulation environments that are both effective and safe for all stakeholders.

Learning objectives

  • Explain key professional standards and ethics in healthcare simulation, including the SSH Healthcare Simulationist Code of Ethics, Standards of Best Practice, and shared terminology.
  • Describe the purpose and value of a mission and vision in guiding simulation program priorities and practices.
  • Apply strategies to promote physical and psychological safety for all stakeholders, including learners, staff, and observers, in simulation environments.

Best Practices and Contributing to the Advancement of Healthcare Simulation (Matt Charnetski)

This workshop focuses on the evolving role of the healthcare simulation professional in maintaining operational excellence and shaping the future of the field. Participants will explore strategies for staying current with best practices, principles, and policies related to simulation operations, and examine how operational expertise supports high-quality simulation design—from equipment selection and learner orientation to data management and quality improvement. The session will also highlight ways simulation professionals can advance the field beyond their own programs through collaboration, scholarship, and service, while identifying leadership opportunities that exist within everyday operational roles. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to strengthen their impact locally and contribute meaningfully to the broader simulation community. 

Learning objectives

  • Identify strategies to remain current in healthcare simulation operations best practices, principles, and relevant policies and procedures.
  • Describe advocating for operational best practices during the simulation design and delivery process, including equipment selection, orientation, data management, and quality improvement.
  • Recognize opportunities to advance the field and demonstrate leadership within and beyond their simulation roles through collaboration, innovation, and professional engagement.

Healthcare Simulation Topics for Operations Specialists (Phillip Wortham)

This workshop is designed for simulation professionals who want to deepen their technical expertise while strengthening the educational impact of their work. Participants will explore the audiovisual hardware and software systems that enhance simulation experiences, along with the IT and networking infrastructure—including cybersecurity considerations and manikin connectivity—that support reliable, high-quality simulation delivery. The session will also cover practical approaches to troubleshooting, maintenance, and corrective action for simulation technology, as well as the effective use of medical equipment, environmental cues, and moulage to support realism and learner immersion. In addition, attendees will examine systematic strategies for purchasing simulation equipment, initiating or contributing to quality improvement projects, and applying instructional design principles and simulation theory to everyday practice—bridging the gap between technical operations and educational excellence.

Learning objectives

  • Describe and apply simulation technologies and infrastructure—including audiovisual systems, IT networking, manikin connectivity, and troubleshooting practices—to support reliable and immersive simulation experiences.
  • Enhance simulation fidelity and educational effectiveness through appropriate use of medical equipment, environmental stimuli, moulage, and instructional design principles.
  • Implement systematic and proactive approaches to equipment purchasing, maintenance, and quality improvement initiatives that align technical operations with simulation program goals.

Healthcare Simulation Topics for Simulation Educators (Kim Leighton)

This workshop is designed for simulationists seeking to strengthen their skills in designing, facilitating, and evaluating high-quality simulation experiences. Participants will explore how to use best practices and needs assessment to guide the development of simulation activities, including writing measurable, learner-level objectives and selecting appropriate simulation modalities. The session will cover scenario design, fidelity considerations, and effective facilitation, including prebriefing strategies and evidence-based debriefing frameworks tailored to learner experience and objectives. Educators will also learn to differentiate between formative, summative, and high-stakes assessments and apply principles of reliability and validity when selecting evaluation tools. By bridging simulation theory, educational design, and practical application, participants will gain the confidence and competence to create meaningful, outcomes-focused simulation learning experiences.

Learning objectives

  • Apply best practices and needs assessment to design simulation activities, including writing measurable objectives, aligning simulation modalities, and developing scenarios with appropriate fidelity.
  • Facilitate simulation experiences effectively through structured prebriefing, evidence-based debriefing, and learner-centered approaches tailored to experience level and learning objectives.
  • Evaluate simulation outcomes and learner performance using reliable and valid assessment strategies, differentiating between formative, summative, and high-stakes evaluations.

Choosing the Right Tool: Aligning Simulation Modalities with Learning Outcomes (E.B. Floersch IV)

This workshop explores the wide range of simulation modalities available to healthcare simulationists, highlighting strategies to select and integrate the right approach for specific learning objectives. Participants will examine manikin-based simulations, task trainers, game-based VR/AR systems, virtual simulation, standardized and simulated patients, in-situ simulations, screen-based simulations, and hybrid approaches. The session will also emphasize the value of interdisciplinary and interprofessional learning, providing guidance on how to design simulation experiences that foster collaboration, communication, and teamwork across healthcare roles. Through discussion and examples, attendees will gain practical insights on matching simulation modalities to educational goals, learner needs, and program outcomes.

Learning objectives

  • Identify and describe a variety of simulation modalities, including manikin-based, task trainer, VR/AR, virtual, standardized/simulated patients, in-situ, screen-based, and hybrid simulations.
  • Evaluate and justify the suitability of different simulation modalities for specific learning objectives, learner needs, and program outcomes.
  • Design interdisciplinary and interprofessional simulation experiences that promote collaboration, communication, and teamwork across healthcare roles.

Endnote Panel

Reflection and Action: Advancing Your Simulation Program (All Presenters)

This interactive closing session will bring together the principles, tools, and strategies explored over the day. Participants will reflect on how intentional needs assessment, operational excellence, and best practices can drive meaningful change in their simulation programs, while bringing forth any questions and ideas.

Learning objectives

  • Reflect on key principles, tools, and strategies from the conference and how they can be applied to enhance simulation programs.
  • Analyze how intentional needs assessment, operational excellence, and best practices can drive meaningful change within participants’ own simulation environments.
  • Identify opportunities to address challenges, generate new ideas, and plan actionable next steps for improving simulation practice.