SimGHOSTS, also known as The Gathering Of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists, is an international United States-based non-profit organization founded by Lance Baily. The non-profit US-based 501(c)3 organization is dedicated to supporting individuals and institutions operating medical simulation technology and spaces through hands-on training events, online resources and professional development. Operating since 2010 after the first event at the Nevada System of Higher Educationsโ Clinical Simulation Center of Las Vegas, SimGHOSTS has become the global leader in simulation operations community support. HealthySimulation.com is a proud media partner of SimGHOSTS with their latest upcoming events always listed on our Healthcare simulation conferences page.
About SimGHOSTS
SimGHOSTS is an international non-profit organization committed to supporting healthcare technology professionals by connecting members with a vibrant, extensive network of simulation technologists, educators, and administrators. Through individual empowerment, SimGHOSTS offers support and resources to medical simulation professionals to increase adoption and optimize healthcare simulation technologies to improve learning and patient care outcomes.
SimGHOSTS values innovation in the world of healthcare simulation and patient safety. Their mission extends beyond equipment to providing hands-on skills, technical knowledge, and professional development through conferences, online learning, mentorship, and more. Global community members have access to regional and online hubs for networking and simulation technology resources. Members also gain access to video libraries, certification assistance, and a global network of experts eager to support each other’s professional development.
The affiliate organizations, such as the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH), International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), Association for SP Educators (ASPE), Simulation Australsia, Simulation Canada or Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine (SESAM), throughout the world enable SimGHOSTS to uniquely advocate for the incorporation of appropriate and responsible healthcare simulation technologies and operations professionals which align with best practices.
The organization’s global reach fosters an inclusive environment for professional growth that is not limited by physical borders. Community engagement activities include a mentorship program designed through two-way learning. This year-long commitment provides support and guidance from seasoned simulation professionals and a leadership opportunity, regardless of location. Mentees and mentors often create professional bonds and a zeal for the craft of simulation in healthcare throughout the community and profession.
SimGHOSTS has followed the organizational strategic plan since 2019, which promotes fiscal responsibility and operational excellence. Thus far, the organization has maintained record-breaking attendance at their annual hands-on training conferences, which mirrors the expected continued exponential growth of healthcare simulation. Driven by patient safety focus and technology advancement, the healthcare simulation market is expected to be valued over 8 billion dollars.
In addition to the annual event, SimGHOSTS provides daily insights and information through their website. There are currently over 3,000 online subscribers to the website, gaining access to courses, books, forum discussion boards and more! Additionally, the organization has developed the capability framework for the healthcare simulation technology specialist. This framework defines core capabilities necessary for the operations professional.
This collaborative effort aims to clearly define healthcare simulation technology specialist role and responsibilities. Through three levels and eight domains, this framework helps employers and simulationists determine appropriate employment level which is equitable to the responsibilities and competencies of the position. These domains include audio-visual technology, education, healthcare, information technology, management & operations, research & evaluation, simulation, theatrics & staging. Each domain provides foundational core competencies with example role description at the three levels of foundation, intermediate and senior, to guide human resources and administration.
SimGHOSTS events provide a variety of hands-on training workshops, special pre-symposium courses and podium presentations. There are several different options, including manikin programming and hardware repair; A/V system design, integration, and consolidation; IT networking and debugging; trauma and suturing moulage makeup; video production and editing techniques; team communication and leadership; medical pharmacology for scenarios; career development and staff management; virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and more.
Anyone responsible for the technical operation of a medical simulation lab, including Sim Techs or clinical educators tasked with operating the day-to-day of simulation spaces, will find these events highly relevant. Additionally, anyone evaluating medical-simulation-based technology should strongly consider attending one of these events, as most major industry vendors are encouraged to attend.
View the new HealthySimulation.com Community Simulation Technology Specialist Group to discuss this topic with your Global Healthcare Simulation peers!
History of SimGHOSTS
The Gathering of Technicians, or GOT SIM, was founded in 2011 by Lance Baily, the founding Director of the Clinical Simulation Center of Las Vegas (CSCLV) for the Nevada System of Higher Education. Baily got his start in healthcare simulation as a simulation technology specialist for the Los Angeles Community College District before being hired to manage the CSCLV.
Focusing on the realm of healthcare simulation, Baily began to combine his love of computer technology, programming, audio-video production, experiential learning and Fire/EMS healthcare training into an online niche. Having traveled the world touring healthcare simulation labs and attending healthcare simulation meetings, Baily wanted to do more to support the unique multifaceted profession of being a โHealthcare Simulation Technology Specialist.โ
Entering into the second year, the GOT SIM meeting officially changed the name to SimGHOSTS, or โThe Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists.โ This meeting was honored to have additional support for the formation and operation of this new annual meeting to continue outside of the CSCLV which came from Kam McCowan and John Cordova, and had founding sponsorship from B-Line Medical and Pocket Nurse. Then, in late 2013, the organization was approved as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 educational-based charitable entity by the US Federal IRS. This meant SimGHOSTS could continue pursuing the mission to provide educational support to Sim Techs, apply for federal grants and to receive charitable donations.
In 2014, SimGHOSTS replicated the now-famous North American event at the American College of Chest Physicians and successfully added another international event in Australia. Hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast, SimGHOSTS was praised as an event dedicated to supporting those who operate simulation technologies. Furthermore, SimGHOSTS signed the first affiliation agreement with UK’s Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH) in 2014 as well. This is where the developmental stages and planning for a jointly operated third international SimGHOSTS UK were announced.
View the HealthySimulation.com Webinar Strategies To Improve Medical Simulation Effectiveness From SimGHOSTS to learn more!
Then, in 2015 the symposia continued to expand, taking place across the globe with two new locations: Dubai and the United Kingdom. Additionally, another online course program in simulation technology was launched. These expansions were largely thanks to support from Simulead and the SimGHOSTS partnership with the ASPiH.
In 2016, SimGHOSTS continued the global presence with conferences held in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. This year the organization officially launched a new website to connect the global community together through discussion groups, courses and recorded sessions. Through these accomplishments, SimGHOSTS became affiliated with major international simulation and healthcare organizations, including SSH, INACSL, Simulation Australia, ASPiH and more.
In 2017, SimGHOSTS hosted their seventh annual United States event at the WakeMed Center for Innovative Learning with Dr. Amar Patel, as well as simulation technology training tracks for the SESAM Paris event and SingHealth Singapore S3 Event. The organization is also affiliated with GNSH, SimOne and PASSH. The following year, in 2018, SimGHOSTS held meetings for the United States at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and in Australia at the University of the Sunshine Coast, in partnership with Simulation Australasia, ASSH and Serious Games Australia. Each event had a record-breaking attendance within the respective region.
Since that time SimGHOSTS has continued to host events across the United States and globally in partnership with other non-profit organizations around the world. Over the years, SimGHOSTS have taken place in many healthcare simulation centers worldwide, including Texas, Florida, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indiana, the Czech Republic, Nebraska, and Tennessee. The membership platform provides exclusive resources to tools, guides, scenarios and training to advance the healthcare simulation technology community.
