Advertise on podcast: Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation

In this special on-location episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George brings you conversations from “Translating Innovation: A-MEDICO Meets Alberta MedTech Industry,” an event designed to spark connections between researchers, trainees, and industry partners working at the intersection of health innovation and medical device development in Alberta. Funded by the Alberta Ministry of Technology and Innovation, A-MEDICO is a major collaborative initiative led by the University of Calgary, with support from the University of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic, the University of Lethbridge, and NAIT’s Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation (CAMS). The goal: unite the province’s post-secondaries, industry partners, and underserved communities to accelerate Alberta’s medical technology ecosystem. Lisa speaks with five key voices from across the innovation pipeline — from early-stage student researchers to experienced entrepreneurs and innovation leaders: Ben Millen - VP of Design, Tangent Design EngineeringBen shares how Tangent helps early scientific ideas move from napkin sketch to real-world medical devices. He explores the challenges of scale-up, regulatory compliance, and building products that are not only functional but manufacturable, safe, and clinically useful. Stephanie Dang - Graduate Student, Biomedical Engineering, University of CalgaryStephanie reflects on her transition from biochemistry to biomedical engineering and how automation, collaboration, and mentorship are shaping her journey as a medtech innovator. Dr. Lindsey Westover - Associate Professor & Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UCalgaryDr. Westover discusses her work developing BackScanner, a low-cost mobile app that uses 3D imaging to monitor scoliosis without X-rays. She highlights the power of open access tools, clinician partnerships, and user-centered design. Dr. John Wong - CEO & Co-Founder, Fluid Biomed Inc.Dr. Wong shares the extraordinary journey of creating the world’s first bioabsorbable stent for treating brain aneurysms. From surgical insight to startup CEO, he opens up about navigating commercialization, investor alignment, and scaling a life-saving innovation. Dr. Michael Kallos - Professor and Department Head, Biomedical Engineering, UCalgaryAs the architect of A-MEDICO, Dr. Kallos explains how the program creates one big lab across Alberta — connecting students, researchers, polytechnics, and industry under a unified vision for medtech innovation. From translating research into reality to empowering Alberta’s next generation of innovators, this episode is a powerful look at how simulation, collaboration, and bold ideas are reshaping what’s possible in health care. About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George is joined by Tyler Tamayose, President and Principal Consultant of Banyan Strategies. A cross-sector leader with a deep background in health care, government, academia, and innovation, Tyler shares his unique journey from early experiences in crisis response to mentoring hundreds of startups. He reflects on the importance of giving leaders space to think, the value of simulation in health care, and what Alberta needs to become a global leader in health innovation. With clarity and conviction, Tyler unpacks the gaps between frontline teams and innovators, the importance of human-centered leadership, and the need to redesign systems that embrace bold ideas and collaborative execution. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, systems thinker, or changemaker in health care, this conversation offers insights, practical wisdom, and inspiration for what’s possible when we think beyond the box. About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George speaks with Andrew Karesa, Founder and CEO of blueBell Village, a community dedicated to redefining dementia and memory care through relationship‑focused services and interprofessional collaboration. Andrew shares the personal story that inspired Bluebell Village, beginning with his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s journey. He explains how his vision for a dementia village evolved into Connect, a digital platform that brings caregivers, families, and service providers together to offer coordinated and culturally appropriate care. Their conversation explores the realities of caregiving, the innovation gaps in dementia support, and the urgent need to design systems that respect personal independence and cultural context. Andrew’s work reflects the growing movement toward care models that prioritize relationships, empathy, and inclusion. About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, we sit down with Patty Wickson, a transformative leader with over 30 years of experience in health care innovation, clinical operations, and strategic systems. Patty shares her fascinating journey leading Alberta Health Services’ Innovation Office, where she and her team developed an “Innovation Pipeline” to accelerate health solutions from idea to system-wide implementation. She reveals how her team brought groundbreaking projects to life—like a wound-healing gel that sped up recovery by 56%—and explains the fine balance between agility and evidence in large systems. Patty also shares her approach to cultivating “intrapreneurs” inside health organizations and how to foster frontline-led innovation. From AI’s future in clinical workflows to the power of virtual care in remote communities, this episode explores the key ingredients behind meaningful health transformation—and what health innovators, clinicians, and system leaders can learn from it. Key Topics: How to build a sustainable innovation framework inside large health systemsThe Innovation Pipeline process for rapid adoptionLessons from real-world projects with strong patient outcomesThe role of “intrapreneurship” in driving workforce-led solutionsAdvice for early-stage health innovatorsThe growing opportunities in AI, automation, and virtual careAbout:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George speaks with Dr. Kelly Lackie, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Simulation-Based Education and Inter-professional Education at Dalhousie University's School of Nursing. Dr. Lackie shares her passion for inter-professional education (IPE) and how simulation is used to build equity, psychological safety, and collaborative practice in healthcare. From developing protected IPE time and simulation-based assessments to championing inclusive education through patient partnerships and narrative research, Dr. Lackie offers valuable insights into what it takes to prepare learners—and educators—for meaningful, team-based care.Whether you’re an educator, clinician, policymaker, or student, this conversation will deepen your understanding of how simulation can transform education, safety, and culture in health care. Learn more about Dalhousie’s School of Nursing: nursing.dal.ca About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

Advancing Health Care Through Simulation – Episode with Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell In this episode, host Lisa George welcomes Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, Professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. A trailblazer in simulation-based healthcare innovation, Dr. Ferguson-Pell shares how his team leverages XR (Extended Reality) and AI tools to revolutionize clinical training, expand access to education, and reduce barriers for patients and learners alike. From founding the nonprofit Elixir Simulations to building virtual Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs), Dr. Ferguson-Pell walks us through how immersive technology, thoughtful design, and collaborative models are reshaping the way we train the next generation of healthcare professionals. He also reflects on his former role as CEO of the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, where he led efforts to integrate patient data into system-wide strategy for improving outcomes. Whether you're in healthcare, education, innovation, or policy—this episode offers a powerful glimpse into what's possible when simulation meets systems thinking. About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, Stacie Wood and Alex Martins of Elevate Healthcare share how cutting-edge simulation tools, smart curriculum design, and interdisciplinary collaboration are transforming clinical training across Canada. We explore: The biggest trends in simulation-based education, including AI, remote learning, and cloud-based toolsHow simulation is evolving to support real-world readiness, workforce retention, and patient safetyThe importance of realism, accessibility, and psychological safety in simulation designHow to match simulation modalities with educational goals—because high tech isn’t always the best techBest practices for debriefing, emotional safety, and building trust in high-stakes trainingThe role of simulation in addressing the “know-do” gap in clinical learningWhat to expect from the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Provincial Summit on May 7Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode, we’re joined by Robert Sikora of Edmonton Global to explore the intersection of simulation-based healthcare training and economic development. Robert shares how Edmonton’s growing reputation in health and life sciences is driving international interest—and how simulation is becoming a vital pillar in attracting investment and accelerating innovation. We explore: Why global investors and startups are looking to Alberta—and specifically Edmonton—as a rising health and life sciences hubHow simulation tools like CAMS at NAIT help companies validate medical devices before going to marketThe role of risk mitigation, workforce development, and R&D cost savings in choosing a region for innovationThe collaborative advantage of Edmonton’s ecosystem—where post-secondaries, industry, and government work in harmonyHow simulation is reshaping regulatory readiness, product validation, and clinical trainingWhat attendees can expect from the upcoming Provincial Simulation Summit on May 7Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, Dr. Tim Willett, a national leader in simulation-based education, discusses the best practices shaping the future of healthcare training in Canada. As the President and CEO of Simulation Canada, Dr. Willett shares insights on how simulation improves workforce development, patient safety, and medical innovation. We discuss: The current landscape of simulation-based education across CanadaWhy simulation has become essential in training and retraining healthcare professionalsThe key principles of effective simulation educationCommon challenges institutions face when implementing simulation-based trainingThe role of AI, virtual reality, and extended reality in the future of healthcare simulationHow Simulation Canada is driving best practices, training, and research in the fieldWhat to expect at the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Provincial Summit on May 7Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, Dr. Michael Kallos shares how simulation is revolutionizing biomedical engineering, medical device innovation, and healthcare training. With extensive experience in research and medical technology, Dr. Kallos explores the evolving role of human factors engineering, patient-centered design, and AI in shaping healthcare solutions. We discuss: How simulation accelerates medical device innovation and improves patient safetyThe importance of human factors engineering in healthcare technology developmentReal-world examples of how simulation-based testing improves medical device usabilityHow AI and extended reality (XR) are transforming healthcare simulationThe role of collaboration between academia, industry, and healthcare institutionsInsights into the upcoming Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Provincial Summit on May 7Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, Dr. John Gilbert, a pioneer in interprofessional education, discusses how simulation-based training is transforming collaboration in healthcare. We explore: The evolution of interprofessional education (IPE) and its role in improving patient safetyHow simulation fosters teamwork and communication across healthcare disciplinesThe impact of mannequin-based simulation and virtual reality on skill developmentHow AI and digital health tools are shaping the future of healthcare trainingKey strategies for scaling interprofessional simulation programsDr. Gilbert shares his insights from decades of experience in workforce development, healthcare education, and policy implementation—offering a global perspective on how interprofessional collaboration can reduce medical errors and enhance patient outcomes. Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, we explore how virtual reality (VR) is reshaping nursing education and healthcare training. Roger Crowe, a leader in healthcare simulation at Bow Valley College, shares insights on how VR enhances medical education, improves competency, and prepares students for real-world patient care. We discuss: How VR is used to replace clinical hours in nursing educationThe benefits of VR for developing critical thinking and decision-making skillsHow Bow Valley College integrates VR into its healthcare programsThe role of VR in training students for high-pressure scenariosFuture trends in VR and simulation for workforce developmentLearn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this pilot episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George sits down with John Sutherland, Director of CAMS at NAIT, to unpack how simulation-based education is reshaping the future of health care training in Alberta and beyond. John shares insights into the strategic restructuring of CAMS, outlining the five core areas now driving their mission: operations, simulation-based education, interprofessional education, applied research, and health innovation services. Key highlights include: How CAMS is helping address health care workforce shortages through standardized and immersive training.Why applied research and industry collaboration are critical to CAMS' national leadership in simulation.What the May 7th Simulation Summit is all about—and why it's a must-attend event for anyone in health, education, or med-tech innovation.Real examples of simulation in action, including immersive environments, interprofessional scenarios, and support for health innovators looking to test and validate new technologies.Whether you’re a policymaker, post-secondary leader, health care provider, or innovator, this episode offers a compelling look into the power of simulation to drive better outcomes—for learners, professionals, and the health system as a whole.Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7 About:NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

Welcome to the intro conversation for Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, a series exploring the critical role of simulation in shaping the future of healthcare. This series highlights NAIT's Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation (CAMS) as a hub for healthcare simulation, workforce development, and innovation. Through conversations with experts, industry leaders, and educators, we’ll explore how simulation is transforming patient care, medical training, and healthcare innovation. Each episode is designed to enhance awareness and understanding of CAMS while positioning it as a leader in this rapidly evolving field. Join us as we share strategic insights, compelling stories, and forward-thinking perspectives on the power of simulation in advancing healthcare.