We kicked off 2024 with some exciting news.


CAMLS and Immertec, a Tampa virtual reality (VR) company, were awarded a $1.6 million 2-year National Institutes of Health SBIR grant. This research will target medical training in rural communities, with a focus on maternal-fetal outcomes. 


Next, CAMLS and the Tampa Bay Wave were selected as a finalist for the 2024 Urban Excellence Awards by the Tampa Downtown Partnership.


Later this month, our team will be presenting at multiple workshops during the International Meeting on Simulation and Healthcare (IMSH) in San Diego. IMSH is a scientific conference exploring the latest innovations and best practices in healthcare simulation. 

 

In the coming year, we will be critically focused on:


  • Providing excellent healthcare training experiences in our state-of-the-art facility.
  • Expanding healthcare education using emerging technologies such as AI and XR.
  • Bridging the training gap in rural/underserved areas with our in-situ CAMLS Without Walls initiative.
  • Broadening our global outreach to ensure bi-directional collaborations, research, training/education, and technology.


We are successful because of partnerships with likeminded individuals and organizations dedicated to excellence and innovation. Together, we are improving healthcare and training outcomes in our community and around the globe.

I encourage you to share this edition of CAMLS Insider with your friends and colleagues. 

 

We look forward to another successful year at USF Health CAMLS.


Sincerely,


Haru Okuda, MD, FACEP, FSSH


Executive Director, USF Health CAMLS

CAMLS Research

NIH awards $1.6 million grant to Immertec and USF Health CAMLS to study novel medical training technology for health professionals in rural areas

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to a collaborative research initiative between Immertec and the USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS). This 2-year study, with excepted funds of $1.6 million, aims to evaluate the viability and effectiveness of immersive technology in providing specialized medical training to rural health care professionals. 

 

"We're excited to partner with local small business, Immertec, to bring state-of-the-art health care training to rural areas,” Dr. Bailey said. “CAMLS is a leading center for simulation training and research, and through partnerships with technology companies like Immertec, we're able to expand the reach of training to areas that need it most." 

READ MORE

Awarded Best Paper in Simulation

Our collaborative paper, "Developing Criteria to Compare Military Medical Trauma Simulations Across Modalities," received the Best Paper in Simulation award at the 2023 Interservice / Industry Training, Simulation, and Education (IITSEC) Conference. This achievement, in partnership with USSOCOM, Smith and Nephew, Inc., and the Institute of Applied Engineering at the University of South Florida, marks a significant milestone.


Our research establishes crucial criteria for evaluating military medical trauma simulations, contributing not only to our field but also to the wider simulation community. This success wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of our team and valued collaborators.

Educational Programs

READ MORE



At the USF Health 6th Annual Interprofessional Education Day held at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), expert presentations delved into themes of well-being, culminating in an engaging 'Shark Tank'-style competition.


Centered around the theme "Caring for Caregivers: Fostering Mental Health and Wellness in Interprofessional Teams," the event addressed the unique challenges that healthcare professionals encounter, including burnout.


We were honored to have a delegation from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) join us for the event to learn about the university’s IPE efforts and how to implement them into their systems back home.


Special congratulations to Team Five, led by Dr. Erini Serag-Bolos, whose outstanding focus on work-life balance earned them a well-deserved place on the coveted IPE Day trophy!

Community Activity

Tampa Bay Wave Healthtech Accelerator


The Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) proudly hosted the unveiling of a groundbreaking collaboration between Tampa Bay Wave, Florida's premier non-profit accelerator for high-growth startups, and the University of South Florida, powered by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. 

 

This dynamic partnership heralds the introduction of the HealthTech|X Accelerator program, set to launch in mid-2024, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation, supporting high-potential health tech startups, and promoting entrepreneurship in the Tampa Bay region.

READ MORE

AHA Rural Health Leadership Conference

We are looking forward to attending the AHA Rural Health Leadership Conference February 11-14 in Orlando.

CAMLS Without Walls:

Our Mobile Simulation Vehicle 


CAMLS Without Walls is set to revolutionize healthcare education access. Through our newly-redesigned mobile simulation unit, we're taking simulation training directly to underserved and rural communities. This not only broadens access to our state-of-the-art training, but also ensures that medical knowledge and skills reach those who need them most. Learn more about this program by watching the video. Help support our outreach efforts by contributing today.

DONATE TODAY

International Collaboration

CAMLS is actively engaging in international collaborations, fostering global partnerships and knowledge exchange. We recently had the privilege of hosting the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the USA, Canada & Brazil, exploring opportunities for future collaboration. In addition, we extended a warm welcome to a delegation of British health technology companies during the ABHI mission to Tampa, showcasing our global reach and readiness to collaborate with UK-based healthcare tech firms as they enter the U.S. marketplace.

Despite physical distance, our commitment to global education was evident as we virtually presented "Innovation in Teaching: Simulation-Based Training Programs" at the University Hospital Zurich, Institute of Anesthesiology's continuing education series in the autumn semester of 2023. CAMLS also participated in the Korean Society of Quality in Healthcare Annual Conference, creating a Korean-language video blog (vlog) that showcased how healthcare simulation centers are contributing to improving patient safety.

Team Member Spotlight:

Dr. Normaliz Rodriguez


We are excited to spotlight our new Assistant Medical Director, Dr. Normaliz Rodriguez. She is an Assistant Professor at the Morsani College of Medicine, the Emergency Medicine Director of Simulations and the Emergency Medicine Simulation Fellowship Director. She also practices clinically as a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Tampa General Hospital.


Dr. Rodriguez is a dedicated member of key healthcare organizations, including the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), the International Network for Simulation-based Pediatric Innovation, Research and Education (INSPIRE), and the International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS). She is an INSPIRE Execute Board member, the Associate Chair for the INSPIRE/IPSS Simulation Fellowship and serving on the SSH DEI Committee. We warmly welcome Dr. Rodriguez to CAMLS and look forward to her continued contributions to medical simulation and education.

Upcoming Courses

January 12-14, 2024 Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Course and Cadaver Lab


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 subspecialists, OB/GYN residents and fellows. This course is full, but you can click below to join the waitlist.

JOIN WAITLIST

January 19-20, 2024 Symposium Update in Allergy and Immunology


The Symposium will focus on the latest breakthroughs and recommendations in allergy and immunology. Topics include airway smooth muscle structure and function; immune response and COVID-19; 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.

REGISTER NOW

April 2-4, 2024 Mass Casualty Incident Training


Violent mass casualty incidents (MCI) have critically affected our nation’s communities and hospitals in both rural and urban environments. Due to the indiscriminate nature and location of MCIs, they can directly impact all ED personnel regardless of whether they work in a small community hospital or Level 1 trauma center. Special skills and team-based training are necessary to optimally respond to an MCI. This two-day course features hands-on, high-fidelity simulations, augmented with dynamic pre-course content, to maximize the immersive learning experience. Discover more about the course and hear firsthand experiences from participants by watching the trailer below.

REGISTER NOW

Bring Your Next Program to CAMLS


2024 is the perfect time to plan your upcoming labs or events at CAMLS. Our state-of-the-art facility and dedicated team are ready to help you create a memorable and impactful experience. Reach out to Paul Ayres or Laura Frost on our Business Development team today to schedule your next program at CAMLS.

CAMLS Website
Instagram  Facebook  LinkedIn  X
Subscribe to our newsletter