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Director's Corner
Fall is approaching and I am excited to announce that I will be going on tour! Starting in October, I’ll be visiting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities across the country to showcase the incredible work we’re doing at SimLEARN. This tour isn’t just about handshakes and familiar faces — it’s about putting our mission in the spotlight, highlighting the transformative power of simulation in health care, and showing how our innovations are actively improving care for Veterans.
At the core of what we do are the “4 I’s” — Involve, Immerse, Improve, and Impact. These four simple words embody how we approach everything, from simulation-based training to health care evaluation, and most importantly, how we transform the care Veterans receive.
These principles shape every aspect of SimLEARN’s mission, from engaging health care professionals and Veterans to immersing teams in realistic simulations, improving patient outcomes, and driving lasting impact across VA health care.
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In September, the National SimVET Center hosted the first-ever Autonomous Caregivers Robotic Demonstrations (ACRD), where leading health care robotics companies showcased cutting-edge technologies aimed at improving Veteran care and supporting VA staff. The event, organized by SimLEARN and OHIL, demonstrated how robots can enhance tasks such as rehabilitation, hospital deliveries, and sterilization while promoting safety and dignity for Veterans. Highlights included robotic exoskeletons that help Veterans regain mobility, advanced rehabilitation tools, and robots designed to assist VA staff by handling dull, dirty, or dangerous tasks.
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Three recent joint simulation programs between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have expanded collaboration and improved readiness across both organizations. These programs, which began in 2018, train dental and medical professionals from multiple branches, helping them better understand each other's roles and enhancing their preparedness for high-stakes situations.
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Since 2012, the VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Clinical Simulation (IAFCS) has played a key role in advancing clinical simulation within VA. As the program concludes, we celebrate its achievements and the lasting impact it has made on simulation training and patient care.
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The ICU team at William S. Middleton VA Hospital has implemented a standardized approach to emergent re-sternotomy through hands-on simulation training. This vital initiative has enhanced nurse confidence, knowledge, and response times, ensuring faster, more effective intervention in critical cardiac emergencies.
The VA Puget Sound Health Care System launched simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (IPE) in their emergency department, emphasizing teamwork and rapid sequence intubation (RSI) practices. The training, rooted in "The Vortex Approach," helps medical staff improve airway management and patient care.
In response to an All-Employee Survey highlighting communication and growth as top priorities, SimLEARN Director Eric Bruns organized the "Let’s Flamingle!" Speed Networking Event. Held on September 12th at the National SimVET Center in Orlando, the event brought together 44 SimLEARN employees, both in person and virtually, to connect, learn about each other’s work, and explore collaboration opportunities.
With a festive "End of Summer Tropical Party" theme, participants engaged in two rounds of guided speed networking. The event aimed to enhance communication, build stronger ambassadors for SimLEARN, and encourage future teamwork. “This event helps take our culture to the next level and understand who we are as a team,” said Bruns.
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The VA-ECHO program, in partnership with SimLEARN, offers four dynamic programs designed to enhance health care education and patient care through simulation. These include the SimLEARN Community of Practice (CoP), REdI 2 Rescue, SimVET Analysis, and SimVET Integrations, each providing innovative simulation-based learning experiences.
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