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Greetings!
As we move into November, the season of reflection and gratitude, it’s the perfect time to express our thanks for the many people and achievements that enrich the CAMLS community. This year, we have so much to be grateful for, and we’re thrilled to share our appreciation with all of you—our clients, faculty, staff, students, and community supporters.
First and foremost, we are thankful for our growing community. With over 15,000 subscribers, this new newsletter has been a meaningful way for us to connect, share updates, and keep you informed about the incredible work taking place here. This platform has allowed us to highlight the outstanding educational programs, groundbreaking research, and important collaborative efforts that define CAMLS, and we’re deeply grateful for your engagement and support.
This year has also brought unique challenges, including not one but two hurricanes. Through it all, our team has shown resilience and dedication, ensuring that we continue to provide a safe, innovative space for learning and collaboration. I am deeply thankful for the commitment and strength of our team members, faculty, and students, who together embody the mission of CAMLS every day.
With Veterans Day just yesterday, we are especially thankful for the privilege of collaborating with and supporting the training and research efforts of our Department of Defense service members. Whether working within our local community or extending our efforts globally, this partnership reinforces our commitment to advancing education and preparedness for those who serve. We are honored to contribute to the readiness and resilience of our military service members and veterans.
Finally, our gratitude extends to the broader USF Health community, whose passion and dedication to healthcare education, research, and service inspire us all. The continued advancements in education and research at CAMLS are a testament to the collaborative spirit that drives us forward.
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Thank you for being a part of our journey, and as we celebrate the season of Thanksgiving, we look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Haru Okuda, MD, FACEP, FSSH
Executive Director, USF Health CAMLS
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USF Health awarded $10 million to establish the Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services | |
We are happy to announce the new Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services (FLCEMS) will be based at CAMLS. The state of Florida has awarded USF Health $10 million to establish FLCEMS, which will strengthen USF’s presence in the growing Tampa Medical and Research District.
FLCEMS brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers to advance the field of emergency medical services through pioneering research, high-quality education and innovation working with community partners. FLCEMS will guide communities, agencies and elected officials in setting policy and programs that best meet the needs of Floridians and will analyze and determine EMS workforce needs.
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CAMLS and FLCEMS will work closely together to enhance the CAMLS Without Walls program, which is designed to bring healthcare simulation programming to rural and community hospitals within a 300 mile radius of Tampa. Additionally, FLCEMS will be hosting a variety of conferences at CAMLS attracting EMS experts from around the State of Florida.
| 6th Medical Group MacDill AFB joins AR Medcom counterparts | |
Colonel (DR) Elizabeth L. Somsel is the Military Treatment Facility Director and Commander of the 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Tampa. We hosted Col. Somsel and her command team for a brief and tour of CAMLS.
As joint operations among branches of the military is imperative, we combined their AR Medcom counterparts from the JMOC-B training to join the conversation. The group appreciated sharing and comparing their roles, definitions and responsibilities.
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Robin DeLaVergne, Sr. VP External Affairs, Tampa General Hospital and Honorary TGH Commander for the Commander of the 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base coordinated the visit; another example of strong joint partnerships in action, connecting TGH and USF Health CAMLS and MacDill AFB to support our community.
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Simulation & Beyond: CAMLS Educational Updates | Celebrating Excellence: Dr. Shannon Bailey honored as Tampa Bay Tech Educator of the Year | |
Congratulations to CAMLS’ Senior Human Factors Scientist, Dr. Shannon Bailey, PhD, who has been awarded the Tampa Bay Tech Educator of the Year at the Tampa Bay Tech Awards! This prestigious award recognizes individuals in educational roles who have significantly influenced student interest in pursuing technology-centric careers in our region.
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Dr. Bailey has made remarkable strides in healthcare simulation and educational technology, particularly through her innovative research investigating immersive extended reality (XR) in medical training. Her dedication to enhancing the educational experience has led to meaningful outcomes for students in the Tampa Bay area. Join us in celebrating her incredible achievements and commitment to advancing technology in healthcare education!
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Real-world readiness: CAMLS and Tampa Bay Lightning on-ice emergency simulation
Each year, CAMLS joins the Tampa Bay Lightning in a pre-season on-ice emergency simulation for the athletic trainers, Tampa Fire Rescue and Tampa General Hospital emergency department physicians. In situ simulation is crucial in high stakes environments like stadiums, airports, and concert halls, where effective, time-sensitive decision making and seamless teamwork are essential for life-saving interventions. Practicing within these venues allows healthcare and emergency teams to address unique environmental challenges, refine communication pathways, and strengthen coordinated responses, enhancing their preparedness and effectiveness when real emergencies arise. This year marks the sixth time CAMLS has delivered this vital simulation, and we were excited to include three interns from our USF Health undergraduate simulation course and two USF Athletics training students!
| New interactive tool enhances surgical instrument mastery | |
In an effort to enhance surgical instrument mastery, CAMLS' Senior Instructional Designer, Marina Monastyrskaya, PhD, and Multimedia Producer, Lauren Siegal, have developed an interactive online training tool designed to advance how our new staff and interns engage with surgical instrumentation. This innovative program shifts the focus from rote memorization to active exploration and hands-on virtual learning, encouraging users to dive deeper into surgical instrumentation.
Leveraging Gagné's Nine Events of Instruction, the tool creates a dynamic learning experience where participants can explore 360° views of instruments, engage with interactive hotspots to understand functionality, and receive adaptive feedback through quizzes. By fostering an inquiry-driven approach, the program encourages critical thinking and builds confidence, equipping new team members and support staff to handle surgical instruments with confidence and precision.
Early feedback has shown that learners exhibit improved recognition and application of knowledge during the programmatic support of clinical simulations, highlighting the tool’s potential to improve surgical education and training.
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International Collaboration | Tampa Bay EDC, CAMLS and TGH host UK-based life sciences companies | |
USF Health CAMLS hosted a two-day visit for more than 50 representatives from UK-based life sciences companies. This visit, organized by the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, was part of efforts to build upon the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary, formally strengthening business partnerships between Florida and the United Kingdom.
During their time in Tampa, the delegation met with local health sciences professionals to gain insights into the range of companies operating in the area. The coalition was led by Niall Mackenzie, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America.
The visit concluded with a fireside chat featuring Niall Mackenzie; Jason Weida, Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration; Dr. John Couris, President & CEO of Tampa General Hospital; and Dr. Prasant Mohapatra, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of South Florida. Dr. Haru Okuda, CEO and Executive Director of CAMLS, moderated the discussion, which focused on shared opportunities and strategies for expanding growth between the two markets.
| Okuda and Destrade knock it out of the park in Japan for sister city visit | |
Last month, our executive director visited the Cities of Gifu and Tokorozawa, Japan, to increase collaborative opportunities between both cities and Tampa, as well as to further research and educational opportunities with Gifu University. In Gifu, Dr. Okuda had the opportunity visit President Yoshida to discuss how both universities could expand clinical training and simulation. He also met with leadership from the United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences as well as visit the Institute for Glyco-core Research. In Tokorozawa, he met up with Tampa’s “The Big O”, Orestes Destrade, former Seibu Lion’s baseball player and Japan Series MVP, to discuss collaborative opportunities between the city of Tampa and Tokorozawa, Japan. Mr. Destrade is currently working for the Seibu Lion’s as a special advisor in Tokorozawa, Japan, at the Saitama Seibu Lion’s headquarters.
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CAMLS faculty presents in Dubai at World Health Organization's Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting | |
Dr. Eric Weinstein, one of our esteemed faculty members, recently represented CAMLS and USF's Department of Emergency Medicine at the World Health Organization’s Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Weinstein delivered impactful presentations and served as a panelist, contributing his expertise on emergency medical response in diverse global contexts. His involvement highlights CAMLS’ commitment to advancing healthcare on an international stage and fostering a global network of collaboration and innovation in medical training.
Dr. Weinstein has also recently co-authored a new publication, "A pilot study in the use of the Delphi method to document conference proceedings: comparison of the rate of consensus among attending and nonattending participants" in Disaster Med Public Health Prep.
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Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Course and Cadaver Lab
January 10-12, 2025
This cadaver based, hands-on educational course is designed for Gynecologic Surgeons who desire to advance their skills and knowledge in laparoscopic surgery. This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Gynecologic Surgeons and sub-specialists, OB/GYN residents and fellows. Register now -- seats are limited!
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2025 Symposium Update in Allergy and Immunology
January 17-18, 2025
The Symposium will focus on the latest breakthroughs and recommendations in allergy and immunology. Topics include airway smooth muscle structure and function; immune response, food allergies, testing and challenges; pathogenesis and treatment of severe asthma; and asthma and obesity, biological markers, and osteoporosis. There will also be a breakout rhinoscopy skills lab available on the first day of the symposium.
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Advanced Trauma Life Support Refresher Course
February 1, 2025
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Advanced Trauma Life Support Hybrid Course
March 29-30, 2025
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Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM)
March 31, 2025
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Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) Course
April 7, 2025
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Team Member Spotlight: Randy McCune | |
We are thrilled to spotlight Randy McCune, our Assistant Staff Analyst, who has been an integral part of the CAMLS team for nearly three years. Randy brings professionalism and warmth to all our learners and visitors, creating a welcoming environment from the moment they arrive. Beyond his friendly presence, he supports our team with essential data analysis and logistics that keep our operations running smoothly.
Randy’s background includes distinguished service in the U.S. Army as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) Operator and a Communicator/Intelligence Officer. The dedication and expertise he developed in the military are a true testament to his character and commitment. As we honor Veterans Day, we’re especially proud to recognize Randy’s contributions to our country and to the CAMLS community. Thank you, Randy, for your service and all that you bring to CAMLS!
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Book your 2025 programs today! | |
With the holidays quickly approaching, it reminds us that 2025 is just around the corner. Now is the time to contact the CAMLS Business Development Team to begin to discuss your future program dates and space needs. Several organizations have already reached out. Don't delay. Connect with us today and begin the booking process!
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