A few things to share this month — some good news, a subject I have been thinking about a lot, and a heads-up for September. As always, it is a privilege to serve this incredible community and to have a small role in the large work SSH does every day.
SSH Won a Gold Hermes Award
The results are in from the 2026 Hermes Creative Awards, and I am glad to share that our IMSH 2026 campaign was recognized with a Gold Award in the Strategic and Integrated Campaigns category! The Hermes Creative Awards are administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals — an organization representing several thousand marketing, communications, advertising, and digital media professionals.
Gold is awarded to roughly 21% of entrants — recognition that the work exceeded industry standards, not just met them.
This award belongs to everyone who contributed to IMSH 2026. Every department that submitted content, every speaker who trusted the process, every member who showed up. My job is to tell SSH’s story well, and I do not take that charge lightly. Moments like this are a reminder that the story is worth telling and the people behind it are what make it compelling.
The award is now reflected on SSH’s (growing) Awards & Recognition page.
On AI — What I’m Watching and Why It Matters
For quite some time - years, in fact - I have been paying super close attention to what artificial intelligence tools can and cannot do for marketing work. Not because I am looking to cut corners, but because I want to understand where these tools can genuinely strengthen what we as an association deliver to you.
Obviously, there is a lot of noise in this space. Still, my approach is deliberate rather than reactive. Where AI can help us move faster, think more clearly, or produce better work without sacrificing quality or accuracy, I will explore it. Where it cannot meet that standard, I will not. Your member experience is what everything gets measured against, and that does not change regardless of which tools are in the room.
As I learn more from this point on, I will share what is working and what is not. If you have questions about my exploration, if you have observations and insights about how AI is showing up in simulation or healthcare education contexts, I am always interested in that conversation!
Healthcare Simulation Week Is Coming — and the Store Is Already Open
September will arrive sooner than it feels. A theme for this year’s Healthcare Simulation Week is coming very soon, and the community’s energy around this annual campaign continues to grow.
In the meantime, the official merchandise store is already open if you want to get a head start on nabbing some really cool gifts and campaign support items. More details on this year’s theme, toolkit, and activities will be coming as the community builds momentum toward September.
I can't wait to see how we all celebrate Healthcare Simulation in Fall 2026!
Sincerely,
Curtis Kitchen, CAE
SSH Director of Marketing