Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS)

01/16/2026

Where XR, AI, and healthcare converge—at CAMLS

Housed at USF Health CAMLS, the Smart Technologies through Advanced Research Lab (STAR Lab)—led by Byeol Kim, PhD—is advancing human-centered medical technologies at the intersection of engineering, extended reality (XR), and clinical care.

From VR-based surgical planning to AI-enabled patient simulation and 3D-printed medical devices, STAR Lab is creating immersive, data-driven tools that improve how healthcare is taught, practiced, and delivered—globally.
In this video, Dr. Kim shares how human-centered computing helps close healthcare gaps by designing technologies that are accessible, affordable, and grounded in real-world clinical needs.

01/15/2026

Check out the January 2026 edition of the CAMLS Insider Newsletter! Stay informed and inspired with our latest news and updates: https://conta.cc/4jEvJUQ

01/12/2026

We are proud to highlight another successful Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) course at CAMLS. This year, we welcomed participants from 21 U.S. states and 5 countries, including Mexico, Canada, Uganda, and The Bahamas—a true testament to the global reach of our mission.

This year also marked Dr. Emad Mikhail’s 10th anniversary as course director, guiding the program with expertise and dedication. Over the weekend, attendees refined their surgical skills, participated in hands-on training, and exchanged knowledge with world-class faculty and peers.

Thank you to our course directors, faculty, participants, and CAMLS staff for making this year’s course such a dynamic and engaging event.

01/09/2026

Members of the CAMLS team are headed to San Antonio for , hosted by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

We’re excited to participate in this leading healthcare simulation event. Be sure to check out the members of our team who will be presenting and sharing their expertise!

1/12 Developing and Supporting Simulation Operations Internship Programs: A Hands-On Approach to Growing the Next Generation of Sim Ops, Melissa Milner, Diane Ray

1/12 ASCEND: Bridging Clinical Education and Access through Smartphone-Based XR Dental Simulation, Byeol Kim

1/12 SSH Presents: Healthcare Simulation Advocacy in Action: From Local Voices to Global Impact- Panel Presentation (60 minutes), Haru Okuda (facilitator)

1/12 Controllers, Hands, or Gloves: Impact of Interaction Methods in Extended Reality Healthcare Simulation – Authors: Hannah Pannell, Jessica Murati, Ernesto Mejias Vazquez, Riley Swain, Robert Maniker, David Kessler, Steven Feiner, Normaliz Rodriguez, Shannon Bailey

1/13 SSH Presents: From Passion to Policy: Building Your Advocacy Plan for Healthcare Simulation, Haru Okuda (Facilitator Panel Presentation)

1/13 Using simulation to test a large language model and AI-powered tool for emergency medicine encounter documentation, Michael Simoes

1/13 Implementing Haptics in Healthcare Simulation: A Panel Discussion of Evidence, Challenges, and Strategies – Authors: Carrie Gigray, Shannon Bailey, PhD, Crystel Farina, Michael Hollins, Nichole Brown (Panel Presentation)

1/13 Pushing the Boundaries of Simulation for Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Going Beyond the Hospital Walls with Outreach Simulation– Hands-on workshop - Normaliz Rodriguez (facilitator)

1/13 Who Spoke for Me? Centering the Patient Voice in Interprofessional Simulation, Melissa Milner, Mitzy Flores

1/13 Unbound Collaboration: Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Interprofessional Simulation for EMS and Hospital Teams, Melissa Milner, Penny Eggers

1/13 Comparative Effectiveness of VR and Computer-Based Simulation in Medical Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Medical Students – Authors: Lauren Dyer, Antonious Rizkalla, Ernesto Mejias Vazquez, Franklin Sun, Luke Furtak, Shannon Bailey

1/13 Speed Mentoring: A Networking Event with Leaders in Healthcare Simulation – hands-on workshop, Haru Okuda

1/14 Integrating Simulation Principles into Bioskills Lab Design, Melissa Milner, Diane Ray

12/19/2025

CAMLS will be closed for winter break starting today and will reopen on January 5. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year! See you in 2026!

12/19/2025

Festive moments with the CAMLS team from our annual holiday party 🎄✨ It is always a joy to come together, celebrate the season, and reflect on a great year.

12/17/2025

At USF Health CAMLS, we’re proud to highlight an immersive learning experience developed in collaboration with the Global Virus Network (GVN).

As part of the GVN Short Course for Translational Virology, CAMLS delivered multiple simulation experiences, including a tabletop exercise and a high-fidelity, scenario-based simulation with standardized patients. These experiences were designed to prepare learners for the realities of outbreak response by challenging them to think strategically, communicate effectively, and make critical decisions under uncertainty.

📣 Learner feedback included:
“The simulation provided a real-life example of how to behave during an outbreak and what to prioritize.”
“It helped us think more strategically and identify gaps in preparedness.”
"I feel better equipped in the key steps of outbreak response.”
“Eye-opening to see how a simple tabletop can be so impactful in a public health and surveillance context.”

🌍 Why it matters:
Preparedness goes beyond protocols. It requires teamwork, adaptability, and the ability to translate knowledge into action. By combining discussion-based and high-fidelity simulation, this training strengthened confidence, surfaced gaps, and reinforced coordinated response under pressure.

We’re grateful for our collaboration with GVN and remain committed to advancing immersive training that prepares the global health workforce to respond together.

12/09/2025

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Shannon Bailey, PhD, on being named a 2025 NTSA Top Under 40 Awardee by the National Training & Simulation Association!

This prestigious honor recognizes emerging leaders under 40 who have made significant contributions to the Modeling, Simulation, and Training (MS&T) community through innovation, leadership, and service. Selected from a highly competitive pool of nominees nationwide, Dr. Bailey was recognized for her outstanding professionalism, commitment to volunteerism, and impactful work advancing the field.

We are so proud to have her on our team at CAMLS. Congratulations, Dr. Bailey, on this well-deserved recognition!

12/04/2025

Our Executive Director, Dr. Haru Okuda, joined a Focus Event panel at I/ITSEC 2025, the world’s largest modeling, simulation, and training conference, to discuss the future of healthcare simulation.

Alongside leaders across the simulation community, the panel expanded on themes from IMSH 2025’s 25th anniversary, exploring how simulation continues to evolve in clinical education, operational readiness, and systems-level innovation.

The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration across healthcare, education, and defense to advance training and improve outcomes.

Interservice / Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference

12/04/2025

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on completing their rigorous two-year specialty course in Advanced Oral Facial Harmonization! For the fourth consecutive year, cohorts traveled from AOD Clínica in Brazil to USF Health CAMLS to conclude their training with an intensive, hands-on surgical skills lab. We’re proud to support their dedication to advancing clinical excellence and delivering exceptional patient care. Wishing each graduate continued success as they take the next step in their professional journey!

11/27/2025

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for our incredible community of healthcare professionals, educators, learners, and partners. Your dedication to improving healthcare through lifelong education and training inspires us every day. Wishing you a joyful and safe holiday!

11/19/2025