Aloha! Influences for a presidential address come from many sources, and this one is no different.

SSH is making a difference working together with the wisdom and influence of many voices from its membership and many other vantage points.

Listening and moving forward to advance our mission and vision is happening through your Board, leadership in Sections, SIGs, Affinity Groups, and the busy SSH Executive Council, and SSH Staff. Final completion of the five strategic plan goals and objectives will be addressed at the SSH Board Meeting this month.

I am also delighted to communicate SSH is leading in so many ways behind the scenes and through recent advocacy initiatives from members. News is forthcoming.

Myself, SSH President-Elect Barry Issenberg, and SSH Past President Haru Okuda have been rotating with at least one of us representing you, the Membership, and SSH, at recent SimOps 2023, SESAM, ASPE, INACSL, Simex, and NLN events over the last several months. Board Member Matt Charnetski represented SSH at SimGhosts.

Much was gleaned though attendance at each of these events.

In addition, SSH continues its global simulation advocacy efforts as the Presidents wore both their SSH and institutional hats  in Japan, Korea, India, and at the inaugural transpacific SimHuddle event in Hawaii spearheaded in collaborative fashion by SSH Past President KT Waxman that featured attendees from across the globe (CA, HI & AU with attendees from across the globe).

This kind of effort is a great example of one of our SSH strategic aims involved at reaching out to our global partners and discovering how we can work more efficiently, effectively, and make a difference in the support and alignment of our simulation healthcare organizational goals.

Looking ahead, SHAPES [SSH Asia Pacific Evolution Summit] is also coming to Honolulu this month and will be represented by a gathering of SSH AP healthcare simulation thought leaders. SHAPES, an initiative sparked by myself and Dr. Benjamin Berg, Director of the SSH Accredited SimTiki Center located in JABSOM (John A. Burns School of Medicine, UHM), will explore and elucidate how SSH can better serve our AP global simulation communities, with the focus on the pillars of our SSH strategic plan.

Facilitated by the current SSH Presidents and Dr. Berg, who has been pivotal as event convener and site host for this inaugural event, SHAPES will continue its momentum at an IMSH 2024 panel event in San Diego that will be open to all SSH members. Stay tuned!

As highlighted earlier, your BoD is working on specific goals with realistic actions for our strategic pillars as part of the unfolding strategic planning process. A wise SSH mentor recently reiterated the quote that, at times, we “Go Slow to Go Fast.“ Indeed, we must take the time to fully understand challenges and what, exactly, is required to address them before moving forward with execution. Success in our SSH Strategic Plan priorities are much more likely to be successful if we aim first and then shoot.

I’m looking forward to continued progression with your voices and supportive actions as we all move forward and make a difference through SSH. Mahalo for all of your continued efforts!

And, before I close, one very important reminder: #IMSH2024 is coming quickly! Join me and all of your peers January 20-24, 2024, in San Diego, at what is shaping up to be another record event! Get registered today and get your hotel rooms finalized if you have not done it already!

With Aloha, Pono & Kuleana.

Jayne Smitten, PhD
SSH 2023 President