Simulation Institute 2025
The Simulation Institute is a full-day, interprofessional conference dedicated to simulation-based education and practice. The agenda has been developed to encourage collaboration and discussion.
Innovating Practice Through Immersive Simulation
April 28, 2025 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Simulation and Learning Resource Center | Driscoll Hall
M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Attendees will experience immersive learning sessions that challenge traditional methods and integrate innovative solutions for professional development across the health care professions. Learners will 
actively participate in the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Immersive Simulations.
Program Objectives:
1. Examine ways to advance simulation-based learning and its application to interprofessional practice.
2. Facilitate immersive experiences to enhance understanding of critical topics, including poverty, de-escalation, and maternal health, and translate these lessons into actionable skills for real-world application.
Keynote Speaker
Nicole Harder, RN, PhD
Associate Dean (undergraduate) and Associate Professor
Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, University of Manitoba
Dr. Harder’s current research creates, implements, and studies the use of simulation as a pedagogy to teach technical and non-technical skills to health care providers and students.
Nicole Harder, RN, PhD
Associate Dean (undergraduate) and Associate Professor
Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, University of Manitoba
Dr. Harder’s current research creates, implements, and studies the use of simulation as a pedagogy to teach technical and non-technical skills to health care providers and students.
Agenda
9 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction
Dean Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN
Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor
9:15 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Keynote Speaker: AI Enhanced Virtual Reality for Interprofessional Simulation
Nicole Harder, RN, PhD, CHSE, CCSNE
Associate Dean (undergraduate) and Associate Professor, College of Nursing
Mindermar Professor in Human Simulation, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus), Winnipeg
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Immersion Experience Sessions (Track 1 or Track 2)
Track 1
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m
Speak Up for Social Determinants of Health: Addressing the perinatal patient experience.
Lauren Johnson, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Temple University College of Public Health, Department of Nursing
Susan Kilroy PhD, RN, CHSE
Kreider Endowed Professor in Healthcare Simulation and Innovation
Villanova University, M. Louis Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Track 2
10:15 a.m. – 11 a.m
Speak Up for Safety: Immersive VR
Will Kirkpatrick, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CCRN, CSCS
Founder of Tactile VR
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m
Speak up For Safety: Strategies for Managing High-stakes Safety Issues with SPs
Jaclyn Parkinson, MSN, RN, PCCN, CHSE
Clinical Assistant Instructor
Villanova University, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Bing Bing Qi, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Villanova University, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m: Networking Lunch and Vendor Display
1:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Immersion Experience Session
Re-Entry Simulation for Public Health: Experiencing the systemic challenges faced by those leaving the prison system
Cynthia Zuidema
Director of Reentry & Prevention Programs
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Debrief for Immersion
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Application to Practice
Reflection and discussion on integrating simulation learnings into professional practice.
4:00 p.m.: Closing
Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Avkin
Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
