17th Annual Excellence in Clinical Simulation Awards
Celebrating Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Simulation in Healthcare
Congratulations to all of our nominees.
Each of this year’s nominees made a positive impact in advocating, championing, and pioneering clinical simulation at your institution, and beyond.
Nominations are put forth by EMS Customer Success Managers and winners are selected by their simulation industry peers. This year’s recipients will be announced in January at the 2026 IMSH Conference in San Antonio, Texas!
Nominees
The Champion Award honors an individual who has been actively championing state of the art clinical simulation technology for their center.
The Advocate Award honors an individual who has been actively engaged in advocating learning through clinical simulation at their center.
The Pioneer Award honors an individual who has been actively engaged in pioneering new ways of clinical simulation training at their center.
Champion Nominees
Joy Flicker, MSN, RN, CHSE
Professional Specialist, Simulation Lab Director
Alvernia University, John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing
Joy Flicker, MSN, RN, CHSE leads collaborative innovation in simulation and IPE, guiding her team in designing experiences that strengthen clinical judgment and elevate learner assessment. She introduced data-informed debriefing and supported the integration of EMS technology. Her INACSL/SSH-aligned leadership enhances learner experience, increases center efficiency, and drives continued program expansion.
Kate Lindley, MSN, RN, CHSOS, CHSE
National Simulation Director
Rasmussen University – Central Nursing
Kate Lindley, MSN, RN, CHSOS, CHSE is National Simulation Director at Rasmussen University, where she leads strategic innovation and planning across 20 nursing simulation labs. As a champion for excellence, she advances faculty development, standardization, and best practices that elevate simulation-based learning and strengthen clinical readiness nationwide.
Maria E. Vazquez-Amaral, JD, MEd
Assistant Dean for Medical Simulation
Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Maria E. Vazquez-Amaral, JD, MEd joined Roseman University College of Medicine in July 2023. It has been her privilege to work with leaders from all four disciplines at Roseman University (medicine, dental, pharmacy and nursing) along with the university’s infrastructure leadership in the creation of an approx. 80,000 sq. ft. simulation facility which will break ground in March of 2026 and house the simulation programming for all of Roseman University – Nevada. She reflects that her most important role was in championing the interests and educational work of all the disciplines equally.
Advocate Nominees
Johanna Derrenbacker, MSN, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, CHSE
Corporate Director Simulation and Interprofessional Education
Centra – Central Virginia Center for Simulation and Virtual Learning
Johanna Derrenbacker, RN MSN, NPD-BD, NE-BC, CHSE is a transformative simulation leader who expands access through innovative distributive models, elevates quality as an SSH Accreditation Reviewer, and strengthens workforce development through expert mentoring. Her standardized, high-impact educational practices and national advocacy advance safer patient care and inspire excellence across the simulation community.
Rachel True, MPH
Director of Operations
Health Science Simulation Center
As Director of Operations for the Health Sciences Simulation Center, Rachel True leads with vision, collaboration, and heart. She is guiding her team through the complex logistics of opening two new state-of-the-art simulation facilities, expanding immersive learning opportunities across SMU’s four campuses. Rachel and her team recently developed an innovative simulation on Trauma-Informed Care and Human Trafficking and a simulation-based training program for local high school students on using naloxone to safely reverse opioid overdoses. Her dedication to simulation-based education reflects a deep commitment to transforming learning and improving patient outcomes.
Kara Templeton, RN, BSN, CHSE; Emily Pritchard, RN BSN; Henry Moulder, MBA, CHSOS; and Maria Shane
Prisma Health Simulation Center – Greenville (Team)
At the Prisma Health–Upstate Simulation Center, our team leads creative, efficient, and large-scale simulation events. From mock codes and drills to de-escalation and empathy-driven inclusivity training, we use simulation to spark culture change, build safer care environments, and empower teams. Our center is a safe space where it’s okay to make mistakes—because that’s how we learn and grow. We believe simulation should be scalable, meaningful, and rooted in human connection, and we proudly follow Prisma Health’s mission to Inspire health, serve with compassion, and be the difference.
Pioneer Nominees
Becky Anglin DNP, RN, CHSE
Director of Simulation
Rocky Vista University, Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine
Becky Anglin, DNP, specializes in Educational Leadership and has held diverse roles in healthcare and higher education. As Director of Simulation at Rocky Vista University Montana, she has built a comprehensive simulation curriculum emphasizing both individual competency and team-based learning. She developed a full event management system to plan, schedule, and deliver high-quality simulations, collaborating with faculty and her team to design cases and run organized events for more than 300 students.
Dr. Anglin also pioneered a near-peer model that unites first- and second-year medical students for collaborative, team-based simulation training. This approach strengthens clinical skills, communication, confidence, and patient-centered decision-making while expanding hands-on learning opportunities. Additionally, she created a Simulation Scholars course, training second-year students to assist with case development, event operations, and peer debriefing—further enhancing leadership, teaching, and clinical readiness.
Les Barta, EdD(c), MPA, NRP, CHSE
Director, Simulation Technology Program
Rutgers Health – Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
As Director of Simulation Technology at Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and Co-chair of the Rutgers Health Simulation Workgroup, Les Barta pioneers professional identity formation across disciplines. Through SCARLET, he uses immersive technology to bridge the classroom-clinic gap, ensuring learners across the health professions develop essential professional resilience.
Annette Davis
Simulation Operations Manager
Albert & Debbie Tano Medical Simulation Center, Florida International University
Annette Davis leads the simulation education team at FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, where she leads learner-centered workflows that make simulation operations smoother and more meaningful. She has pioneered collaborative processes amongst units, modernized scheduling and intake systems, and expanded the simulation center reach that helps students, residents, and faculty feel supported, prepared, and connected.
