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Greetings!
This year has been a remarkable chapter for USF Health CAMLS — a year defined by global partnerships, groundbreaking collaborations, and Tampa Bay’s growing presence on the world stage of life sciences, education, and innovation.
We began the year with a clear vision: to position CAMLS not only as a world-class simulation center but also as a strategic hub for international collaboration. That vision came to life through a series of milestone engagements spanning Asia, Latin America, and North America.
In July, CAMLS proudly hosted the Japan–Tampa Life Sciences & Healthcare Innovation Forum in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami and the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. This event brought senior executives from Japan’s life sciences sector together with Tampa Bay leaders in healthcare, academia, and innovation. The forum highlighted the synergy between Japan’s advanced technologies and Florida’s rapidly expanding life sciences ecosystem—including biotech, pharma, medtech, and clinical research. It also solidified Tampa’s growing role as a destination for global biotechnology collaboration and reaffirmed CAMLS’s role as a key convener for advancing innovation and patient care.
Across Latin America, we deepened our collaborations with Panama, Ecuador, and Mexico. In Panama, I met with Minister of Health Dr. Fernando Boyd to discuss CAMLS’s role in supporting the country’s first national simulation center—a transformational initiative to elevate clinical education and credentialing. In Ecuador, our team conducted a strategic consultation with Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) to help shape the future of simulation-based education in the region. Later, I was honored to deliver a keynote at the XXIII Conferencia Panamericana de Educación Médica, emphasizing the power of simulation to strengthen the healthcare workforce globally.
Our long-standing partnership with UNAM’s Faculty of Medicine also advanced meaningfully. We are delighted to welcome Dean Ana Carolina Sepúlveda Vildósola to this year’s USF Health Interprofessional Education (IPE) Day planning group. Together, we laid the groundwork for the first simultaneous IPE Day in Mexico, further embedding a global, transdisciplinary perspective into our work.
This year, I joined Dr. Charles Lockwood, Executive Vice President of USF Health and Dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, for a strategic visit to Japan and Taiwan. We renewed and expanded our academic affiliations with Tokyo Women’s Medical University and Gifu University School of Medicine, launching new collaborations focused on simulation, research, and student exchange. In Taiwan, we established partnerships with I Shou University Medical School and MacKay Medical Center, broadening our presence in the Asia-Pacific region and opening new pathways for academic exchange and innovation.
From Tampa to Tokyo, from Panama City to Mexico City, our work this year has reflected a shared commitment: improving patient outcomes through innovation, education, and global partnership. As part of the Tampa Medical and Research District, CAMLS is proud to serve as both a local anchor and a global connector in advancing healthcare worldwide.
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As we close out the year, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our faculty, staff, partners, and community. Your dedication and vision have made this an extraordinary year. Together, we will continue to build bridges that drive innovation, transform education, and improve health for communities around the world.
Sincerely,
Haru Okuda, MD, FACEP, FSSH
Executive Director, USF Health CAMLS
| | As we look ahead to the start of the new year, CAMLS is excited to feature two premier January 2026 educational offerings designed to advance clinical expertise through immersive, hands-on learning. Now is the perfect time to secure your spot in these high-demand programs that bring together expert faculty, cutting-edge clinical content, and the unparalleled simulation environment for which CAMLS is known. |
Elevating Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
January 9-11, 2026
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CAMLS is proud to highlight the upcoming January 2026 offering of the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) Course, now entering its 11th year under the leadership of Emad Mikhail, MBChB, MD, FACOG, FACS, Professor and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Specialties at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. A distinguished expert in complex benign gynecology and deep infiltrating endometriosis, Dr. Mikhail has shaped this course into one of CAMLS’ most sought-after surgical training experiences.
This cadaver-based, hands-on program provides gynecologic surgeons, subspecialists, and trainees with immersive training in laparoscopic hysterectomy, advanced pelvic dissection, complication management, and the safe, effective use of minimally invasive techniques. Each year, the course reaches full capacity and maintains a consistent waitlist, underscoring its national reputation for rigor, relevance, and exceptional faculty instruction.
With more than a decade of demonstrated success, the MIGS Course continues to serve as a cornerstone of CAMLS’ commitment to advancing surgical excellence.
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2026 Symposium Update in Allergy and Immunology and Rhinoscopy Hands-On Workshop
January 16-17, 2026
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CAMLS is also pleased to showcase the 2026 Symposium Update in Allergy and Immunology and Rhinoscopy Hands-On Workshop, a state-of-the-art educational program offering practical, up-to-date approaches for diagnosing and managing allergic and immunologic conditions.
A key feature of this event is the Rhinoscopy Hands-On Workshop, a highly sought-after, limited-capacity session that provides focused, individualized instruction in essential rhinoscopy techniques. This immersive component gives participants valuable experience they can apply immediately in a clinical setting.
Designed for physicians, internists, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals specializing in allergy and immunology, the symposium delivers evidence-based updates paired with meaningful opportunities for hands-on skill development.
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CAMLS proudly recognizes Dr. Eric S. Weinstein, MD, MScDM, Assistant Director for Disaster Medicine Programs, for his expanding international impact in disaster medicine. He was recently invited to deliver an oral presentation at European Emergency Medicine Congress- EUSEM 2025 in Vienna, sharing a PRISMA-scoping review on managing embedded unexploded ordnance in low-resource and humanitarian settings. His findings emphasize the need for coordinated multidisciplinary care and updated clinical guidance.
Dr. Weinstein also recently published several peer-reviewed articles—Expanding Literature Reviews of Spontaneous Mass Gathering Events, Industrial Disasters—Preparedness and Response Perspectives, and Tine san Ospidéal Phenomenological Study: Irish Hospital Fire—further strengthening the evidence base for global disaster preparedness.
His work reflects CAMLS’ commitment to advancing research, improving global readiness, and shaping best practices for clinicians working in complex environments.
| | International Collaboration |
Breaking Silos, Building Solutions: International IPE Day Unites USF Health and UNAM
The 8th Annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) Day was held on November 12, 2025, bringing together students, faculty, and global partners under the theme “Breaking Silos, Building Solutions: The Power of Multi-, Inter-, and Transdisciplinary Research.”This year’s program highlighted the expanding collaboration between USF Health and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), one of Latin America’s leading research institutions and a long-standing partner in advancing interprofessional learning. The event featured three distinguished keynote presenters—Dr. William Lee Alardín of UNAM, Dr. Bruce Fouke of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Dr. Carolyn Audet of Vanderbilt University Medical Center—who offered complementary perspectives on the value of integrating professional, scientific, and disciplinary expertise to address complex global health challenges.
The morning plenary session was streamed globally with real-time English and Spanish interpretation, connecting participants across borders for a truly bilingual experience. In the afternoon, parallel student sessions will challenge learners to work collaboratively across disciplines to build innovative solutions to real-world problems.
This year’s IPE Day exemplifies the mission of USF Health and CAMLS to foster global partnerships that break down silos and empower the next generation of health professionals and researchers to think — and act — beyond boundaries.
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Dr. Luis E. Llerena Receives Distinguished Healthcare Diamond Award
We are pleased to share that CAMLS’ Medical Director, Dr. Luis E. Llerena, MD, FACS, MAMSE, CHSE-A, has been awarded the Distinguished Healthcare Diamond Award by the Brain Expansions and Scholastic Training (B.E.S.T.) Organization.
This recognition celebrates Dr. Llerena’s exceptional leadership in healthcare education and his longstanding dedication to advancing clinical excellence and inspiring future health professionals. His work closely aligns with B.E.S.T.’s mission to support youth pursuing careers in the health sciences—an organization that has served more than 5,000 students, awarded over $50,000 in scholarships, and achieved a 97% high school success rate.
CAMLS was also named the 2025 Healthcare & Innovation Partner of the Year, highlighting our shared commitment to strengthening healthcare through education and innovation.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Llerena on this well-deserved honor and celebrating his continued impact across USF Health and the broader community.
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In addition to Dr. Llerena’s recent recognition with the Distinguished Healthcare Diamond Award, we are proud to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of two additional CAMLS team members whose achievements further demonstrate the depth of talent and dedication across our organization.
Shannon K. T. Bailey, Ph.D., Senior Human Factors Scientist at CAMLS, has been selected as a 2025 NTSA Top Under 40 Awardee by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA). She will be formally recognized at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in December 2025. This honor highlights Dr. Bailey’s leadership, innovation, and growing national impact in training, simulation, and human factors research.
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Lauren Siegal, CAMLS’ multimedia producer, has been selected as a 2025 USF Outstanding Staff Award recipient—one of the university’s highest staff honors. With eight nominations from colleagues across USF, Lauren is celebrated for her creativity, professionalism, and collaborative approach to advancing educational, research, and outreach initiatives. Her work continues to strengthen program visibility and enrich learner experiences across CAMLS and USF Health.
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Plan Ahead for 2026 – Reserve Your CAMLS Program Dates Today
As 2026 approaches, now is the optimal time to engage with the CAMLS Business Development team to secure your preferred dates for spring and summer programs. Early scheduling ensures access to the spaces and resources best suited to your organization’s needs.
To begin the process, please contact Paul Ayres (payres@usf.edu) or Laura Frost (lfrost@usf.edu) with your desired dates and space requirements. Our team will assist in reviewing availability and confirming your reservation.
Don’t let the holiday season delay your planning—reserve your 2026 program dates now to ensure a seamless start to the new year.
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