The Pioneer in Simulation Award
The Pioneer in Simulation Award is given to recognize individuals who have had a significant and sustained impact on simulation and its application to health care.
2025
Dr. Howard Barrows
Dr. Howard Barrows, a pioneer in medical education, revolutionized healthcare training through his innovative use of standardized patient (SP) methodology. His groundbreaking approach made SPs essential for developing and assessing clinical skills, allowing learners to safely practice communication, physical examinations, and diagnostic reasoning. Barrows’ legacy endures as SPs remain a cornerstone of effective healthcare education. *awarded posthumously*
2024
Jeff Cooper
As a Pioneer in Simulation for Your: Early recognition of the relevance of simulation to patient safety; Developing a collaboration of five Harvard-affiliated Anesthesia Departments to regularly use simulations for trainees and faculty – evolving into the well-respected Center for Medical Simulation; and Tireless advocate for simulation around the world.
2023
Tore Laerdal
As a Pioneer in Simulation for his outstanding contributions in advancing the global adoption and implementation of simulation training for effective and safe healthcare delivery, and for his remarkable and inspiring vision, dedication, and commitment to the mission of saving lives in the world’s most vulnerable populations.
2022
Debra Spunt
As a Pioneer in Simulation for her extraordinary vision and early work, as a co-founder of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) and serving as the first president, and for her impact globally, setting the foundation for using simulation in nursing education and other healthcare professions. *awarded posthumously*
2020
Daniel Raemer
As a Pioneer in Simulation for his many innovations and accomplishments in advancing the field of simulation and especially for his vision to start a professional simulation society, his efforts to bring it into existence, and his leadership as the founding President of SSH.
2019
Rob Harden
As a Pioneer in Healthcare Simulation for his pioneering work in medical education that has enormous impact around the world, and also in advancing simulation-based education and assessment across the breadth of healthcare professions.
2017
David Gaba
As a Pioneer in Healthcare Simulation for your ingenuity, talent, and wisdom in leading the creation of modern day patient simulators, applying principles of crisis resource management to healthcare, and advancing the field through inquiry and scholarship as Founding Editor-in-Chief of Simulation in Healthcare.
2016
Lou Oberndorf
As a Pioneer in Healthcare Simulation for industrialization of the human patient simulator and other significant contributions to the healthcare simulation industry.
2015
Michael Gordon
As a Pioneer in Healthcare Simulation for contributions in life-saving cardiovascular training through the development of “harvey,” the cardiopulmonary patient simulator.
2014
Stephen Abrahamson
As a Pioneer in Healthcare Simulation for his work leading to the creation of the 1966 sim one - the first computer-controlled patient simulator.