Agenda - SimTech Up Conference 2025 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
TTUHSC students walking through Lubbock campus courtyard.

September 16, 2025

7:45 - Breakfast and networking with peers 
8:00 - Welcome
8:15 - Keynote: Lessons in Grit – Leveraging Healthcare and Simulation Training to Compete in an Ultra Endurance Canoe Race – Matthew Pierce 
9:15 - Escape Room - Jarrod Jones 
10:00 - Break 
10:15 - Bridging the Gap with Standardized Patients: How Collaboration Between Nurses and Ancillary Staff Improves Patient Outcomes - Monte Gardner
10:15 - Information Technology on Simulation - Daniel Backlund
11:00 - Financial Sustainability Models and Resource Management - Jarrod Jones
12:00 - Lunch 
1:00 -  Simulation Operations Approaches and Strategies Utilizing Gaumard Products - Peter Villa, Rolando Badillo
2:00 - Enhancing Simulation Fidelity Through Moulage Technique - Dinez Swanson, Teresa Taylor
2:00 - Team up with AI for medical emergencies: an experimental study; Changwon Sun
3:00 - Break
3:15 - Debriefing Training:  Evidence-Based Approaches Aligning with Educational Theory and Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice -Kyle Johnson
3:15 - Beginner Level Moulage Techniques (Hands-on) - Peter Villa
4:30 - Interactive Tour of the TTUHSC Simulation Program

September 17, 2025

8:00 - Breakfast and networking with peers 
8:30 - Plenary Session: Get Off the Ladder! How to Have Psychologically Safe Conversations and Avoid Climbing the Ladder of Inference! - Kyle Johnson
9:30 - SSH Accreditation for SimNewBs - Shelley Burson
9:30 - Behavioral Emergency Nursing Simulation Curriculum Helps New Nurses feel More Confident in Behavioral Emergences - Jordan Wilson 
10:30 - Break
10:45 - Data Driven Simulation Program Administration - Matthew Pierce
10:45 - Simulation Operations Apporaches and Strategies Utilizing Laerdal Products - Peter Villa, Rolando Badillo, Keith Cherek
11:45 - Lunch
11:45 - Vendor Hall (Open until 5:00)
3:30 - Advanced Moulage Techniques (Hands-on) - Peter Villa
3:30 - 3D Printing (Hands-On)

September 18, 2025

8:00 - Breakfast and Networking with Peers
8:30 - Plenary Session: Preparing for the Unthinkable: A Disaster Day Simulation - Michelle Kiser, Renee Bogschutz
9:30 - Break
9:45 - Best Practices in Simulation Case Design: A Blueprint for Success - Terran Krake
10:45 - Building Safe Habits: EHRs, Medication Labels, and Barcode Scanning in Simulation-Based Education - Matthew Pierce
10:45 - Moulage on a Budget - Jarrod Jones
11:45 - Lunch 
12:45 - Inventions, Innovations, and Modifications to Simulators - Jessi Wills, Keith Cherek, Moses Valle
1:45 - Break
2:00 - Staffing Adequacy Model - Daniel Backlund, Matthew Pierce 
3:15 - Closing 

 

Session Descriptions 

September 16, 2025

 

Escape Room

Participants will put their heads together to solve a puzzle and help SimMan. This two-fold activity will serve as both an ice breaker for conference attendees and an introduction to using escape rooms as learning activities. 

Keynote:  Lessons in Grit – Leveraging Healthcare and Simulation Training to Compete in an Ultra Endurance Canoe Race – Matthew Pierce

Elements of high impact simulation such as team dynamics, communication, perfect practice, and feedback provided a successful foundation for training and competition in the world’s toughest canoe race, a 260-mile journey.   

Debriefing Training:  Evidence-Based Approaches Aligning with Educational Theory and Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice -Kyle Johnson

The purpose of this session is to describe the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice: Debriefing and Professional Development and expand on educator expectations regarding debriefing training.  This session will expand on one debriefing method, Debriefing for Meaningful Learning, and the development of the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale (DMLES). Learners will leave with an understanding of critical elements of theory-based debriefing and understanding the needs for ongoing professional development of debriefing and/or how to adopt the DMLES at their own institution. 

Information Technology on Simulation – Daniel Backlund

Information Technology (IT) has been tightly embedded into simulation for over a decade and becoming familiar with this ecosystem can present a barrier to those who may be new in the field. From computers, servers, task trainers, haptic devices, manikins, etc., these devices each have their own functions. In this interactive presentation, we will look to look at some of the common IT devices that one may experience and also look beyond at how they actually integrated into both your simulation ecosystem and your institute's IT infrastructure.

Bridging the Gap with Standardized Patients: How Collaboration Between Nurses and Ancillary Staff Improves Patient Outcomes – Monte Gardner

This session presents a comprehensive overview of staff feedback from the 2023–2024 UMC Simulation Lab experience. Across 23 simulations, participants from diverse hospital roles—including nurses, dieticians, CNAs, and administrative staff—shared their perspectives on the relevance, effectiveness, and impact of the simulation scenarios. Attendees will gain insights into what worked well, including skill development in communication and patient care, as well as areas identified for improvement such as scenario depth, equipment availability, and scheduling accessibility. Key takeaways will inform future improvements to simulation planning, design, and staff engagement strategies. Whether you're an educator, leader, or frontline participant in simulation activities, this session offers a practical look at how feedback can guide continuous improvement in healthcare simulation.

Financial Sustainability Models and Resource Management – Jarrod Jones

A value-based fiscal plan demonstrating cost effectiveness is imperative to the sustainability of a simulation program.  The development of a sound fiscal plan requires consideration of the standards of practice, maintenance of a safe environment, and an attention to realism along with the economic value or return on investment of each simulation-based experience. This presentation will provide an overview of the in-depth fiscal analysis conducted at a multisite, multimodality, interprofessional simulation program. The process conducted reviewed all simulation-based activities in an effort to develop a budgetary process to promote the program’s financial sustainability over time. The presentation will discuss the process conducted, the challenges faced, and the outcomes of the endeavor. Various inventory systems and processes will be reviewed as well.

Simulation Operations Approaches and Strategies Utilizing Gaumard Products – Peter Villa, Rolando Badillo

During this session, we will engage in hands-on training with the Gaumard birthing simulator Victoria S2200 and the Pediatric HAL S2225. As a group, we will have the privilege of participating in open discussions on all aspects of Gaumard products with other Sim Techs and Sim Specialists. The session will cover a range of topics, including initial setups, connectivity, and future applications of Gaumard products.

Enhancing Simulation Fidelity Through Moulage Technique – Dinez Swanson, Teresa Taylor

This one-hour session delves into the practical applications of moulage as a cost-effective method to enhance the realism of simulations without the need for expensive high-fidelity simulators. Moulage, the art of creating artificial injuries and medical conditions, plays a crucial role in improving the authenticity of simulated healthcare environments and supporting educational objectives. Participants will be guided through the process of incorporating basic moulage techniques to effectively stage clinical settings that accurately reflect real-world scenarios, ultimately enriching the learning experience for students.

Team Up With AI For Medical Emergencies: An Experimental Study – Changwon Sun

Despite rapid adoption of generative AI, current knowledge regarding its role as a teammate during safety-critical events such as medical emergency remains limited. Thus, this study examined processes of human-AI teaming in two medical emergencies, choking and bleeding. Especially, the current study compared human-human teaming (HHT) and human-AI (ChatGPT) teaming (HAT) in terms of task performance, team trust, self-efficacy, and perceived workload. A between-subject experiment was conducted for 57 participants (31 for HHT and 26 for HAT). Analysis of variance was conducted to identify differences between two teaming conditions. Dependent measures include task completion time, NASA TLX, Global Team Trust, and Generalized Self-Efficacy. Results show a significant main effect of task type on task completion time, namely, choking task took significantly shorter time than bleeding task (F(1,55)=86.012, p<0.001). Also, participants in HAT completed both tasks faster than those in HHT (F(1,55)=4.774, p=0.033). Results show a significant interaction effect between task and teammate type on NASA TLX (F(1,53)=9.594, p=0.003). Participants’ team trust was significant lower on AI teammate than on human teammate (F(1,54)=10.955, p=0.002). No significant effect was found for teammate type on Generalized Self-Efficacy (F(1,55)=3.811, p=0.056). Findings indicate that AI provided effective support for medical emergency without increasing workload and lowering self-efficacy. Despite benefits of AI for task performance, lower trust on AI warrants further investigations on other factors that influence human trust on AI.

Beginner Level Moulage Techniques (Hands-on) – Peter Villa, Austin Toppert 

Moulage is the art of creating realistic simulated injuries and medical conditions for training and educational purposes. These simulations help students and trainees in fields like healthcare, emergency response, and disaster management develop critical skills in a safe environment. 

  • Introduction to Moulage Techniques: You'll learn the fundamental methods for creating realistic wounds and injuries, which can range from bruises to lacerations and burns.
  • Material and Equipment Introduction: Expect to become familiar with various mediums including special effects makeup (Rubber Mask Grease), silicone, wax, and blood simulation products.
  • Color Theory: Understanding how colors portray specific medical conditions (like trauma or infection) and how different lighting affects their appearance is a key part of realistic moulage.
  • Hands-on training where you'll apply the techniques to yourself, other participants, or manikins.
  • Safety Procedures: Safety is emphasized in moulage training, particularly regarding product usage and potential allergic reactions. 

Interactive Tour of the TTUHSC Simulation Program

Attendees will have free range of the TTUHSC Lubbock Simulation Center. The tour can be self-lead or guided by staff depending on preference. Staff will be present to engage in discussion about various features, products, and demonstration.   

September 17, 2025


Get Off the Ladder! How to Have Psychologically Safe Conversations and Avoid Climbing the Ladder of Inference! – Kyle Johnson

This session will describe an approach to creating safe conversations in simulation and apply broader applicability to the workplace setting. The ladder of inference is a universal phenomenon. We all experience it. Debriefing/feedback conversations are meant to help learners reflect on previous actions and, when errors are made, facilitators commonly experience difficulty of wanting to maintain simulation as a safe place for learning, but then struggle to give feedback around an error. Psychologically safe environments clearly improve outcomes in patient safety, so how can simulation facilitators model these behaviors–and how can team members have feedback on their own teams. Attendees will demonstrate this approach in the session and leave with a tool to frame conversations, stay curious, and address positive performance and erroneous performance while maintaining psychological safety.

SSH Accreditation for SimNewBs – Shelley Burson

This session is will focus on the SSH accreditation process and kick-starting an application. It is ideal for programs considering or starting the accreditation process. The session will discuss the importance of accreditation, the required steps, and the areas of SSH accreditation. A starting point in the process will be defined. Additionally, an overview of a site review and what it entails will be provided.  

Behavioral Emergency Nursing Simulation Curriculum Helps New Nurses feel More Confident in Behavioral Emergences – Jordan Wilson 

This session will be going over how a custom-made BERT (Behavioral Emergency Response Team) simulation was created to increase knowledge and comfort for new nurses to manage behavioral emergencies and improve de-escalation techniques to decrease risk of workplace violence events and improve nursing morale. This session will also include the statistics before, after, and 6 months after the simulation was completed on how well the participants learned and utilized the training, and how to build it yourself in your individual hospital and nursing programs.

Data Driven Simulation Program Administration – Matthew Pierce

Data points such as learner count, utilization, staffing, and purchasing allow for data informed decision making. This session will provide an overview of workflows and software that can be implemented to collect data that reflects the day-to-day operations and needs of your simulation program. True to reality, discussion on the mitigation of inaccurate data and burden of data entry will soon follow. 

Simulation Operations Approaches and Strategies Utilizing Laerdal Products – Peter Villa, Rolando Badillo, Keith Cherek

During this session, we will engage in hands-on training with the Laerdal SimMan 3G and Nurse Anne Simulators. As a group, we will have the privilege of participating in open discussions on all aspects of Laerdal products with other Sim Techs and Sim Specialists.The session will cover a range of topics, including initial setups, connectivity, and future applications of Laerdal products.

Advanced Moulage Techniques (Hands-on) – Peter Villa, Austin Toppert 

Focus on teaching specialized techniques to create highly realistic and complex injury and illness simulations for medical and emergency response training. These courses go beyond basic applications, delving into methods that provide a truly immersive and educational experience for participants. 

  • Utilizing diverse materials:  The advanced course explores the use of various materials, such as silicone, gelatin, specialized make-up, and appliances, to replicate injuries with accuracy.
  • Focusing on realistic detail: Techniques like layering effects and creating realistic wounds that can be applied to human participants and manikins.
  • Advanced application methods: Includes creating complex injuries like open fractures and wounds, severe burns, impaled objects. Also working with molds and learning how to set and reuse for different applications.
  • Designing immersive scenarios: Learning how to stage the environment and modify clothing to further enhance realism and create challenging scenarios for learners is a key component. 

3D Printing (Hands-On)

Join the TTUHSC Methodology Lab for a hands on 3D printing experience. 


Vendor Hall

Vendors will be offering hands on demonstrations of latest products.  

 

September 18, 2025

Preparing for the Unthinkable: A Disaster Day Simulation – Michelle Kiser, Renee Bogschutz

As mass casualty events become increasingly common, preparing health professions learners for coordinated, team-based response is essential. Disaster Day is a large-scale interprofessional simulation designed to enhance learners’ confidence and competence in responding to complex disaster scenarios.

This immersive event includes multiple simulation stations—triage with standardized patients, team lift, BLS and bleeding control, and an animal rescue station—offered across two campuses. With participation from over 600 learners, Disaster Day emphasizes communication, collaboration, and patient-centered care under pressure.

Learners are assessed on confidence and preparedness in interprofessional teamwork, revealing significant improvements in collaboration, clinical decision-making, and situational awareness. The simulation also integrates social determinants of health and health equity, providing a comprehensive and realistic learning environment.

This session will highlight Disaster Day’s design, implementation, and evaluation, and include simulation planning and debriefing techniques. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for integrating interprofessional education into high-fidelity simulations that prepare learners for real-world mass casualty incidents.

Best Practices in Simulation Case Design: A Blueprint for Success – Terran Krake

Effective simulation begins with intentional case design. Whether you're developing scenarios for nursing, medicine, allied health, or interprofessional teams, strong design is the foundation for impactful learning and meaningful assessment.

This session explores evidence-based strategies for developing high-quality simulation cases that reflect best practices, national standards, and real-world clinical priorities. Participants will follow a practical blueprint for case development—from conducting a needs assessment and defining learning objectives to integrating appropriate levels of realism, fidelity, and complexity.

Key components such as prebriefing, standardized patient scripting, debriefing structure, and learner evaluation tools will be discussed, along with common design pitfalls and how to avoid them. Templates, examples, and planning resources will be shared to support implementation across a range of settings and learner levels.

Whether you're new to simulation or seeking to enhance existing scenarios, this engaging session will provide the tools and confidence to elevate your case design and improve learner outcomes.

Building Safe Habits: EHRs, Medication Labels, and Barcode Scanning in Simulation-Based Education – Matthew Pierce

The session challenges the status quo of Electronic Health Records in education and EHR training from the heart of patient safety. From the creation of barcodes and QR codes to their implementation in healthcare, the session will provide thoughtful insight to conducting safe simulations. In addition to medication safety through appropriate labeling, the session will discuss how bedside barcode scanning can be implemented and enhanced in sim with academic or production EHRs. 

Moulage on a Budget - Jarrod Jones

Moulage application is a fundamental skill to have in the healthcare simulation setting. This session will review and discuss the importance of using moulage during simulation training to enhance realism and learner participation. It will be an interactive hands-on session where we will be replicating various moulage techniques using low-cost alternatives.

Inventions, Innovations, and Modifications to Simulators - Jessi Wills, Keith Cherek, Moses Valle

 

Staffing Adequacy Model - Daniel Backlund, Matthew Pierce 

The health and success of a simulation program will be, in-part, determined by proper staffing. However, very little information is present in the literature regarding a staffing adequacy model for a simulation program. In this presentation, we will discuss the development of a staffing adequacy model using real data and staffing surveys.