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Greetings!
As we embark on 2026, I’m energized by the momentum we’ve built together and the extraordinary opportunities before us. At CAMLS, our commitment to advancing experiential education, innovation, and patient-centered care positions us as a vital contributor to both our local community and the global healthcare ecosystem.
In the coming year, we are accelerating research and innovation in emerging technologies — from extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to advanced haptics and 3D printing. These technologies are more than impressive tools; they are catalysts that deepen learning, empower clinicians, enhance procedural rehearsal, and support clinical decision-making in real-world settings. Whether improving surgical planning, refining team performance through simulation, or integrating machine learning into clinical workflows, CAMLS is pushing the frontier of what’s possible in healthcare education and patient safety.
Our work is further amplified by the dynamic environment of the Tampa Medical & Research District, a robust hub of clinical care, academic excellence, research, and innovation anchored by Tampa General Hospital and USF Health. Within this collaborative ecosystem, we help bridge discovery to practice — advancing translational research, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing health outcomes locally and beyond.
We are also excited about our participation in IMSH 2026, the world’s largest simulation meeting, where CAMLS faculty and staff will lead sessions, present cutting-edge scholarship, and help shape the global conversation about the future of healthcare simulation and education. This platform is a testament to the global leadership we continue to build together, fostering collaboration across borders even in times of geopolitical challenge.
As we set our sights on 2026, CAMLS remains committed to:
- Advancing research that expands the evidence base for simulation and emerging technologies in health care.
- Building exceptional educational experiences that prepare learners and professionals to thrive in increasingly complex care environments.
- Supporting clinical care by applying innovation to improve patient safety, procedural proficiency, and outcomes.
- Strengthening global partnerships that share expertise, elevate standards, and expand access to quality care worldwide.
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Thank you to everyone in the CAMLS community — faculty, staff, partners, learners, and learners-to-be — for your dedication, curiosity, and courage to innovate. I look forward to all we will accomplish together this year.
With optimism and gratitude,
Haru Okuda, MD, FACEP, FSSH
Executive Director, USF Health CAMLS
| | When Simulation Meets Global Health Readiness | |
When international health systems face fear, limited resources, and unfamiliar disease, outcomes depend on how well teams lead, communicate, and act together under pressure. CAMLS recreates these high-stakes conditions through immersive simulation, helping participants build the clarity, coordination, and confidence needed to respond effectively.
This approach was on full display on December 11, 2025, when CAMLS partnered with the Global Virus Network (GVN) to deliver an immersive simulation and tabletop exercise for the GVN Short Course for Translational Virology. Led by CAMLS’ Assistant Director for Disaster Medicine Programs, Dr. Eric S. Weinstein, MD, MScDM, the training supported global health leaders from an international network spanning more than 40 countries.
Participants were immersed in a simulated public-health emergency inside a Ministry of Health clinic, where they navigated leadership decisions, infection control, and limited resources as conditions rapidly evolved. The experience highlighted CAMLS’ ability to recreate not only clinical environments, but also the complex systems where policy, logistics, and human behavior intersect.
The impact of the experience was captured by one participant who shared, “The simulation provided a real-life example of how to behave during an outbreak and what to prioritize.” In post-course surveys, learners also reported increased confidence in responding to outbreaks, identifying gaps in current procedures, and strengthening cross-disciplinary communication and strategic planning.
Through its partnership with GVN, CAMLS demonstrated how immersive simulation can be tailored to the needs of global organizations preparing for a wide range of high-stakes challenges. This ability to integrate clinical care, operational leadership, and system-level resilience is what makes CAMLS a strategic partner in building preparedness where it matters most.
| | | CAMLS’ Dr. Shannon Bailey Named NTSA Top Under 40 at I/ITSEC | |
CAMLS is proud to celebrate Dr. Shannon Bailey, Senior Human Factors Scientist, who has been named a National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) Top Under 40 awardee at this year’s I/ITSEC—one of the highest honors for rising leaders in the Modeling, Simulation, and Training (MS&T) community.
This national recognition reflects Dr. Bailey’s leadership and impact across healthcare, defense, and emerging technologies. Through her work in simulation, human factors, VR, and haptics, she advances training, readiness, and patient safety across military and civilian systems.
Since joining USF and CAMLS, she has authored influential research, secured more than $2 million in NIH, DoD, and industry funding, and led award-winning projects that translate cutting-edge technologies into real-world medical training.
“This recognition reflects the collaborative work I’ve dedicated my career to—bringing human factors, simulation, and innovation together to improve how we train and care for others,” Dr. Bailey shared.
To learn more about Dr. Bailey’s research and her Human Factors & Simulation Lab, visit her lab page on the CAMLS website.
| CAMLS Launches USF Health Innovation & Technology Scholars Program | |
CAMLS is excited to announce the launch of the USF Health Innovation and Technology Scholars Program, an interdisciplinary initiative developed with the USF Morsani College of Medicine and USF Research & Innovation to expand undergraduate research opportunities across USF.
Led by CAMLS, the program immerses students in high-impact research on emerging healthcare technologies—including XR, AI, and 3D printing—connecting them with faculty and research teams to address real-world clinical and educational challenges.
Scholars gain hands-on experience within CAMLS’ immersive research environments, strengthening the pipeline of future healthcare innovators and technology leaders.
This initiative is supported by the Florida High Tech Corridor Undergraduate Research Initiative.
Visit our website to explore current undergraduate research opportunities at CAMLS!
| | | International Collaboration | | CAMLS Launches New International Visiting Scholar Program | | |
USF Health CAMLS is excited to launch a new 3-month International Visiting Scholar Program designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders in healthcare simulation.
This program offers a rare opportunity to train inside one of the world’s largest and most dynamic simulation centers, where cutting-edge technology, interprofessional practice, and real-world healthcare operations converge. Scholars will gain firsthand experience in how high-impact simulation programs are designed, delivered, evaluated, and supported across complex healthcare environments.
This 3-month immersive program provides an accelerated, foundational introduction to simulation-based education, operations, research, and leadership. It is designed to give participants practical exposure to the core domains of healthcare simulation through a focused, condensed learning experience.
Together, this immersive environment and global perspective make CAMLS an extraordinary place to develop the skills, vision, and leadership needed to shape the future of healthcare simulation.
| | CAMLS Expands Global Partnerships in Doha, Qatar | | |
USF Health CAMLS recently advanced its global engagement through a strategic visit to Doha, Qatar, strengthening partnerships in simulation, healthcare innovation, and workforce development.
Dr. Haru Okuda, Executive Director of CAMLS, was hosted by the Itqan Clinical Simulation & Innovation Center at Hamad Medical Corporation, with appreciation to Dr. Abdulla Ahmad Al Yousuf and Mr. Amr Metwally for their leadership and hospitality. Dr. Okuda delivered a masterclass on global simulation strategies, engaging educators and clinical leaders across Qatar.
Meetings with Qatar University, Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, QSTP, and the QRDI Council explored future collaboration in emerging technologies, research, and education.
CAMLS looks forward to continued international collaboration and shared impact.
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TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
This month, we are proud to spotlight Marina Monastryskaya, PhD, CAMLS’ Senior Instructional Designer, whose expertise and creativity play a pivotal role in shaping our educational programs.
Marina brings a deep commitment to elevating learner experiences across CAMLS. She partners closely with faculty, clinicians, and subject-matter experts to design engaging, effective, and innovative training that supports our mission of advancing healthcare education and training. From developing interactive learning modules to guiding curriculum improvements, Marina ensures every program is grounded in strong instructional strategy and best practices.
Her thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and ability to translate complex clinical concepts into clear, learner-centered content make her an invaluable member of the CAMLS team. Marina’s work strengthens the impact of our courses and contributes to the high-quality learning environment CAMLS is known for.
Please join us in celebrating Marina for her dedication, expertise, and the positive energy she brings to CAMLS every day.
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| Leadership USF Explores CAMLS During USF Health Day | |
Leadership USF brings together 15 community leaders for a dynamic exchange of insights and experiences among USF and area leaders throughout the Tampa Bay region – enriching both the university and greater community.
The class of 2025-26 came to CAMLS as a part of the USF Health Day; part of the six month program to gain a deeper understanding of USF’s various departments, including academic, research and administrative units on all three campuses.
| | | Plan your spring and summer programs at CAMLS | | |
Plan ahead and secure your spring and summer programs at USF Health CAMLS—where flexibility meets clinical excellence. Our adaptable meeting spaces are designed to support everything from intimate workshops to large-scale conferences, with modern technology and configurable layouts that keep your program running seamlessly. Whether you’re hosting lectures, team-based learning, or hybrid events, CAMLS provides an environment that elevates engagement and professionalism.
Take your healthcare program further with access to clinical-grade bioskills and advanced simulation spaces that mirror real-world healthcare settings. From hands-on procedural training to high-fidelity simulation experiences, CAMLS offers the realism and resources your learners expect. Spring and summer dates fill quickly—book now to ensure your program benefits from world-class facilities built for immersive, impactful education.
To start the planning process, contact Paul Ayres at payres@usf.edu or Laura Frost at lfrost@usf.edu.
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