The Women in Leadership Symposium was created as a one-day event to bring together curious and aspiring, new and experienced leaders in healthcare simulation. The challenges and opportunities for female healthcare simulation professionals include the development of leadership skills in all professional sectors and environments. The Association for Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE), the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), are collaborating to create an interactive day of personal and professional development featuring renowned speakers, vigorous discussion, and relationship-building for each WIL symposium. HealthySimulation.com is an official media partner with ASPE, INACSL, and SimGHOSTS and looks forward to recognizing Women in Leadership for simulation professionals.
Women in Leadership Symposium History
The inaugural WIL Symposium was created by SSH and held in NYC in 2018. The keynote speaker was Jillann Farmer, MD, the medical director for the United Nations. The second annual meeting was held in 2019 in Dallas, and the keynote speaker was Kim Siniscalchi, RN, a retired Major General and former Assistant Surgeon General. ASPE, INACSL, and SSH agreed to co-host the WiL Symposium by rotating the primary host between the organizations. In 2024, SimGHOSTS joined the other organizations to support Women in Leadership as a co-host organization for 2024.
The COVID pandemic impacted the in-person meetings, and ASPE, INACSL, and SSH decided to continue the symposium virtually during that time. Each of these symposia has been an interactive day of personal and professional development, vigorous discussion, relationship-building, and yes, leveraging the power of experiential learning with simulation. The conference is open to any and all with an interest in community and uplifting women in leadership. SimGHOSTS joined the other organizations to collaborate on Women in Leadership 2024.
2020 – Women in Leadership Symposium: Changed to virtual due to COVID. The virtual symposium focused on the 2020 ASPE conference theme of Purpose, Inclusion, and Empowerment by delivering expert panel sessions facilitated by leaders from each society. Topics addressed centered around the current global climate and ideas for how to adjust our leadership accordingly.
2021 – Women in Leadership Symposium focused on ASPIRE: Advocate, Succeed, Persevere, Inspire, Resilience, and Equity. To assist leaders in simulation persevere while leading through challenges, the goal was to assist the leaders to inspire through advocacy for those in need. Resilience and equity were elevated to the forefront. WiL ASPIRE Symposium 2021 focused on current issues in the workplace using the strengths of all parties involved with Dr. Jennifer Arnold and Dr. Jone Tiffany.
2022 – Women in Leadership Symposium: Strategies on Authentic Relationships & Resilience (SOAR²) focusing on Safety, Advocacy, & Resiliency. The objectives were to examine civility, safety, and advocacy strategies to promote resiliency, identify key components of resilience, explore how resilience affects authentic relationships and civility, and practice experiential learning opportunities to promote civil and healthy work environments. Dr. Cynthia Clark, Ph.D., RN, ANEF, FAAN, was the keynote speaker on civility. A panel was convened to share their experiences in dealing with incivility, bullying, and other workplace aggressions. The panelists were Kellie Bryant, DNP, WHNP, CHSE, FAAN; Desiree Diaz, Ph.D., RN-BC, CNE, CHSE-A, FAAN; and Cynthia Foronda, Ph.D., RN, CNE, CHSE, ANEF, FAAN. The interactive session allowed participants to develop a simulation to address civility and equity.
2023 – Women in Leadership Symposium: ExPOSE Impostor Phenomenon: Exploring Personal Objective Strategies Enthusiastically”. The agenda for Healthcare Simulation Women in Leadership 2023 featured two-panel discussions, small group work, and an assessment tool for the impostor phenomenon. Following the discussion, a panel will discuss individual strategies used to help with impostor syndrome. The panelists are Tamara Owens, Ph.D., MEd, CHSE, Amy Cowperthwaite, MSN, ACNS-BC, CHSE, Christine Park, MD, Crystal Murillo, Ph.D., RN, CHSE-A, ANEF, FAAN, and Mary Beth Mancini, RN, Ph.D., NE-BC, FAHA, ANEF, FSSH, FAAN. Following the panel discussion, participants will be placed into working groups to discuss strategies for implementing lessons learned into personal and professional practice.
2024 – Women in Leadership Symposium: Leading with Purpose and Passion to empower healthcare simulation professional to unlock their full potential. The agenda for are emotional intelligence, succession planning/mentorship, and authentic leadership. Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren,PhD, RN, ANEF, CHSE, FSSH, FAAN, provided insight on Emotional Intelligence. Succession Planning and Mentoring presenters were Billie Paschal, BAAS, CHSOS, and Syretta Spears, MS, CHSE, CHSOS-A. Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, Ph.D., M.B.A., R.N., NEA-BC, FAAN, presented Authentic Leadership: Leading with Purpose and Passion. The objectives for WiL 2024 are participants will gain valuable insights, strategies, and inspiration from renowned speakers in the industry. Participants will engage in vigorous discussions, network with like-minded simulationists, and be a part of this transformative gathering
View the LEARN CE/CME Platform Webinar Successful Healthcare Simulation Leadership: Tools to Make a Difference to learn more!
More About ASPE
As the international organization of simulation educators, the Association of Standardized Patient Educators is dedicated to promoting best practices in the application of SP methodology for education, assessment, and research. The organization’s added purpose includes fostering the dissemination of research and scholarship in the field of SP methodology and working to advance the professional knowledge and skills of its members. In transforming professional performance through the power of human interaction, ASPE members serve as great resources and are always ready to help others with SP training, curriculum and program development, and center creation. Encouraged to share their expertise and experience regarding anything related to SP methodology, members worldwide provide strength and insight to the association.
More About INACSL
The International Nursing Association for Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL) is an association dedicated to advancing the science of healthcare simulation. With over 2,000 members worldwide, the organization’s mission is to be the global leader in the art and science of healthcare simulation through excellence in nursing education, practice, and research. INACSL’s goal is also to advance the science of nursing simulation by providing professional development, networking resources, and leadership in defining healthcare simulation standards of best practice.
INACSL membership provides the education, resources, and tools that best address current challenges and help support learners, educators, and professional goals related to the learning of healthcare simulation’s latest developments. This is while ensuring that these individuals are enabled to provide the most comprehensive education and training for high-quality patient care.
More About SSH
With over 5,000 members SSiH, aka The Society for Simulation in Healthcare, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to medical simulation. The nonprofit’s mission is to advance the application and promote the art, science, and practice of healthcare simulation through global engagement. SSiH seeks to reduce errors in patient care and improve clinical performance through the use of simulation.
More About SimGHOSTS
SimGHOSTS, also known as The Gathering Of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists, is an international United States-based non-profit organization. The organization is dedicated to supporting individuals and institutions operating medical simulation technology and spaces through hands-on training events, online resources, and professional development. By offering support and resources to medical simulation professionals, SimGHOSTS hopes to create a healthcare education culture where people are empowered to use simulation technology to improve learning and patient care outcomes.
