SSH Academy to Launch this Summer
Many organizations have academies that honor those who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of their field: now SSH will have one too.
In January 2014, the idea for a Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy (SSHA) was put forth at the SSH Board’s strategic planning session. The Academy will recognize SSH members who have made significant and sustained contributions to the simulation in healthcare field and who have provided service and leadership within SSH and other affiliated simulation societies. More than an award, Academy recognition comes with a responsibility for selected Fellows to contribute their time and energy and provide visionary leadership to both the Academy and SSH.A Task Force was formed to explore the idea and determine its feasibility. Chaired by Mary Anne Rizzolo, task force members included two past SSH presidents, Beth Mancini and Mary Patterson; Carol Durham, then president of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL); and Cate Nicholas from the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE).
This group conducted a search for similar academies and identified eight as having comparable missions and goals: American Academy of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Medical Informatics, American Heart Association, American Society of Association Executives, National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education and the Society for Critical Care Medicine.
The Task Force examined their purposes, eligibility requirements and selection processes and developed the following mission and vision statements:
Mission: The mission of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy (SSHA) is to recognize individuals whose sustained contributions have had an impact on the field of simulation and who will continue to contribute their time and talents to advance the mission and goals of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy. Individuals selected for the Academy are practitioners, researchers, administrators and educators who have made outstanding contributions and will be known as Fellows of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (FSSH).
Vision: The vision of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy (SSHA) is to assemble a community of recognized experts and thought leaders (Fellows) who will lead in the advancement and transformation of simulation in healthcare globally.
The Task Force’s report and motion to create the Academy was approved by the Board in November 2015. Next, the description of the Academy and its responsibilities was included in the proposed revision of SSH Bylaws. Once those Bylaws were approved by the membership in April 2016, the Academy Chair (Mary Anne Rizzolo) and Vice Chair (Carla Pugh) were appointed by the president. A call for service request was distributed to the membership and the six additional members were selected: Keith Beaulieu, Les Becker, Joshua Hui, Beth Mancini, Mary Patterson, and Jill Sanko.
The Task Force began their work by creating a survey to solicit member input. Using the data from that survey, they are refining the process for selecting the inaugural group of Fellows, creating the business plan, and discussing marketing efforts.
We will keep you informed as final decisions are made and we are ready to issue a call for applications to the Academy this summer. We believe that recognizing individuals who have done outstanding work in the areas of scholarship, research, innovation, policy, practice, and/or education will elevate the entire field of healthcare simulation in the eyes of others both within and outside of the simulation healthcare community.