Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center Earns Prestigious Research Accreditation

Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center Earns Prestigious Research Accreditation

The University of Toledo's Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center has achieved full accreditation in research from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, a historic milestone that places UToledo among a select group of global leaders in medical simulation.

Already one of just 96 centers worldwide accredited by the American College of Surgeons as a level one comprehensive simulation center, UToledo is now the first academic institution in Ohio - and one of fewer than a dozen centers worldwide - to hold both accreditations.

"This accreditation represents the culmination of a very challenging and thorough process, and it would not have been possible without the dedication of so many individuals who played a key role in ensuring its success," said Dr. Kris Brickman, senior associate dean for simulation and innovation in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. "To be the first academic institution in the state to achieve this designation is both a privilege and a testament to our ongoing commitment to advance simulation, foster innovation, and produce scholarly work that will guide and inspire others in the field."

With the new recognition, UToledo joins an elite group of simulation centers recognized for excellence across multiple domains of simulation practice. The achievement underscores the institution's growing national reputation in healthcare education and its leadership in advancing clinical simulation and simulation research.

Representatives from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare visited UToledo in September as part of a rigorous multiyear review process, evaluating the center's commitment to quality, innovation and consistency in simulation-based research.

The visit followed more than a year of intensive preparation and documentation, during which the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center team showcased its leadership in advancing research methodology and practice. Many of these practices, guided by the work of Dr. Scott Pappada, an associate professor and director of research in the Department of Anesthesiology, have now been adopted by the International Simulation Data Registry.

Society for Simulation in Healthcare reviewers praised the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center for its deep research expertise, strong faculty leadership and its structured approach to developing new investigators. They highlighted the center's innovative tiered mentoring model, which pairs experienced students and staff with novice researchers. The model, they noted, reinforces a culture of collaboration, strengthens research quality and exemplifies how institutions can build sustainable research pipelines.

Cristina Alvarado, director of immersive and simulation-based learning, said the recognition validates years of focused effort.

"Achieving accreditation has been a long-standing goal for our team, and this milestone reflects the dedication of every faculty member, staff member and student who contributes to the simulation center each day," she said. "It is truly a collective achievement - one that reinforces our commitment to advancing healthcare education and research for the future."

UToledo has made several significant investments recently to expand and modernize the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center.

One of the most notable is the installation of SimStation, an audiovisual integrator specifically designed to meet the complex instructional and operational needs of simulation centers. SimStation is installed in more than 200 simulation centers across Europe and is rapidly gaining momentum in the North American market. The installation at UToledo is progressing as planned and is expected to be fully operational by the start of spring semester.

The University also has strengthened its inventory of high-fidelity human patient simulators by adding the SimMan Critical Care Simulator. The new simulator - which mimics a live patient - provides advanced training in respiratory care, critical care and anesthesia practice through fully tetherless mechanical ventilation capabilities. One of its most significant advantages is that it allows learners to experience the full continuum of care, from pre-hospital scenarios to emergency department stabilization and ultimately intensive care management.

The system incorporates a sophisticated breathing simulator that enables precise replication of any patient respiratory condition, including complex pathologies. As a result, learners are able to refine essential clinical decision-making, enhance their competencies in managing critically ill patients and strengthen interprofessional collaboration skills in realistic, high-stakes simulation environments.