Webinars are a great way to breathe new life and professional development into those months between ASPE annual conferences. A Webinar is a seminar conducted over the Internet using a combination of conference calls and a website, or an online application for meetings. They are usually an hour long and begin with a presentation followed by a discussion between the presenters and attendees. We offer Webinars on a variety of subjects and at a variety of times to make them attractive and available to as many people as possible. All live webinars are free for both members and non-members. Check out our current webinars below, and register today!
ASPE WEBINAR
Becoming a Thoughtful Abstract Reviewer:
Tools, Tips, and Best Practices for ASPE Reviewers
Join us for a practical training session designed to prepare abstract reviewers for the upcoming ASPE Annual Conference. This webinar will walk participants through the Catalyst review platform, outline expectations for the abstract review process, and highlight what makes high-quality, constructive feedback. Whether you’re a first-time reviewer or returning for another year, this session will help ensure a fair, consistent, and supportive review experience for all submitters.
Presented by:
Kerensa Peterson (she/her), MFA, MS
Director, SP Program, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Center for Simulated Patient Care
Kerensa Peterson has worked in Human Simulation since 2007. She began her career at Northwestern University at the Feinberg School of Medicine as a Standardized Patient (SP) and in 2014 became a Standardized Patient Educator there. After earning her second Masters degree in Health Communication from Northwestern, she accepted a position with the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners as the Assistant Director for Standardized Patient Training. She worked with a dedicated team to produce a high-quality exam experience for DO students taking their Level 2-PEs. She came back to academia in 2021 as the SP Program Supervisor at UCR. An active member of the Association of SP Educators (ASPE) since 2016, she currently serves as Co-Chair for the subcommittee for Conference Abstract Submissions and Program Development and formerly served as an ASPE Board Member from 2021-2022 and received the ASPE Emerging Leader Award in 2023.
Nicholas Gonzales (he/they), BS
SP Educator, Simulated Patient Program, Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Nicholas Gonzalez is the Standardized Patient Educator for the SP Program within the Gordon Center and the co-chair of the ASPE subcommittee for Conference Abstract Submissions and Program Development. He has a background in psychology and specializes in working with SPs to train them on their portrayals, the physical exam, and learner assessments. Nicholas also works as the quality assurance analyst for the program, striving to maintain and further develop SPs in every regard of the role.
Amber Snyder (she/her), EdD
Dr. Amber Snyder is the Simulation Program Supervisor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center where she oversees the day-to-day operations of a statewide simulation program focused on training children and youth workers. She was responsible for the creation of the simulation program and has been nationally recognized for her work in workforce development and social work simulation.
Amber was ASPE's 2022 Emerging Leader and previously served as the chair of Curriculum Development and Advancement and Vice President of Finance where she launched the ASPE fund. She currently serves as the ASPE Conference committee Chair.
DATE: Friday, October 23, 2026
TIME: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
ASPE BOOK CAFE
Presence by Amy Cuddy
The ASPE Book Café Subcommittee will be hosting a live discussion of Presence by Amy Cuddy on Thursday, October 29th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET. This Book Café is the first in a series of three exploratory discussions on the theme of (you guessed it) “presence.”
You may remember Amy Cuddy from her TedTalk, “Your body language may shape who you are.” It’s a great 20-minute primer to the book and intro to the author.
Note: NO prerequisites - Open to ASPE and Non-ASPE members so please share the registration link with peers, colleagues, and our beloved SP teammates. You do NOT need to read the book ahead of time. Your presence and insights are welcome no matter what, so please join us.
In preparation for the new series, we want to hear from you. We always aim to provide engaging content that generates community, activates empathy, and encourages our members to exercise curiosity so we can all expand our knowledge. Please take a moment to complete the following survey, so we can better meet those goals and serve the membership. (Even if you’ve never attended a Book Café, or don’t attend regularly, your feedback is appreciated!)
Survey Link: https://ohsu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4HCpIn6uWgUJ9ga
ASPE LISTENING SESSION
The Possibilities Surrounding AI and SP Methodology
A listening session is a safer space for participants to share thoughts and feelings on difficult, often emotional, topics. Its purpose is to foster a sense of community and connection. It is not intended for exploration of resolutions.
For this session, we’d like to explore how colleagues are feeling about the possible affects of AI in human simulation. As always, the session will be open to anything participants need to discuss.
Listening Session Details:
- Relaxed structure
- Focus can shift, depending on the needs of the participants
- Confidential, not recorded
- No attendance is kept
- Comments can be sent directly to the facilitators to protect anonymity
- Turning on video cameras and participation during the session are completely optional
Presented by:
Tia Andrighetti DNP, CNM, CNE, CHSE-A, FACNM
Tia Andrighetti is an Associate Professor and Innovation Coach/Simulation Coordinator at Frontier Nursing University. Her role as Innovation Coach/Simulation Coordinator allows her to work extensively with faculty to create active teaching methods that are delivered to students in person and in an online environment. She was one of the inaugural DEI Fellows at Frontier Nursing University. She has published and presented on simulations, simulation techniques, online delivery, and faculty development.
Angie Gilbert, CHSE
Angie Gilbert has been the Simulation Educator at Arkansas Children’s Simulation Education Center for almost a decade, developing course curriculum and cases in addition to managing SPs. She has over 20 years’ experience as an SP and healthcare teaching associate. She has been an ASPE member for 6 years and joined the EDISJ committee in 2020. She became a certified healthcare simulation educator in 2023.
DATE: Monday, November 2, 2026
TIME: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
ASPE WEBINAR
ASPE Accreditation in Human Simulation
The purpose of this webinar is to provide SP Center Directors, SP Educators, and other human simulation center/program personnel with an overview of the ASPE Accreditation in Human Simulation application process. We will cover its structure, self-study process and tips and strategies for a successful submission. We will provide an in-depth overview of how the published ASPE SOBP provide the actual blueprint for the accreditation application. Combined, this webinar will cover elements of the application process to help SP centers prepare for the 2027 application cycle which opens December 2026.
Presented By:
F. Shawn Galin, PhD
Director of the Office of Standardized Patient Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, USA
Shawn Galin is a Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Office of Standardized Patient Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Shawn has been an ASPE member for many years and has held numerous leadership roles within the organization. Most notably, he served as President of ASPE from 2022-2023. Shawn led the efforts to develop the ASPE accreditation process while serving as Past-President in 2024.
DATE: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
TIME: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
ASPE WEBINAR
Locating Oneself as a Researcher: Exploring Your Research Interests Through Metaphor
Implicit assumptions shape our research questions and methods and influence our choice of research topic. We bring ideas about what research is, or is supposed to be from our past experiences, our training and professional culture. These ideas direct our attention to topic choice, theoretical orientation, methodology and analysis considerations.
In this workshop we will explore how and where you locate yourself as a researcher. Through discussions about reflexivity and metaphors we will explore your view of research and yourself as a researcher. This pursuit will help us understand what is shaping your research questions and the theories that inform your thinking.
Presented by:
Dr. Nancy McNaughton, MEd, PhD
Director, SP Program, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Center for Simulated Patient Care
Nancy McNaughton is a health professional educator with over thirty years’ experience in the field of simulation based education primarily working with Simulated Participants. She is an Assistant Professor with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and a Scientist with the Wilson Centre for Research in Education at the University Health Network. Actively engaged as a researcher and educator, Dr McNaughton works with a broad range of professional groups both inside and outside of healthcare. Dr. McNaughton is a critical qualitative researcher with special interest in the role of emotion and affect in communication training and professional development.
DATE: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
TIME: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
