KEYNOTE
Dr. Stephanie Woods
In today’s fast-paced work environment, centered leadership empowers leaders to respond with clarity, confidence, and purpose. By applying emotional intelligence, distinguishing true crises from everyday challenges, and prioritizing their time effectively, leaders can create a more thoughtful and productive workplace. This session will explore practical techniques for developing a centered approach, using real-world examples to help participants analyze and apply these principles in their own leadership roles.
Stephanie Woods, PhD, is Dean of the College of Nursing at Texas Woman’s University and an accomplished nursing leader with extensive academic and executive experience. Before returning to TWU, she served for six years as Dean of the Hunt School of Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso and previously spent nine years as an Associate Dean at TWU’s Dallas campus. Dr. Woods is passionate about student success, leadership development, and expanding pathways into nursing. She holds degrees from Texas Woman’s University, UT Health San Antonio, and The University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Kellie Bryant
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping healthcare simulation, creating new opportunities across the full simulation process—from planning and scenario development to prebriefing, facilitation, assessment, and debriefing. This practical and informative session will examine current trends and emerging directions in AI for healthcare simulation, with attention to how simulationists can use these tools to improve efficiency, personalization, learner engagement, and faculty workflow without compromising quality or safety.
Using the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™ as a guiding framework, this session will highlight concrete examples of how AI can support simulation based education. It will also address key challenges simulationists must be prepared to navigate and the continued need for expert human oversight. Participants will leave with a practical understanding of where AI is already adding value in healthcare simulation, where caution is warranted, and how to prepare for the future of AI-enabled simulation practice.
Kellie D. Bryant DNP, WHNP, CHSE, FSSH, FADLN, FAAN is Director of the Center for Innovation in Education Excellence at the National League for Nursing, where she leads the development of innovative products, faculty-development programs, and AI-driven tools designed to transform nursing education. With more than 20 years of experience in nursing education, including 17 years specializing in simulation, she is recognized nationally and internationally for her expertise in artificial intelligence, simulation-based education, and health equity. A sought-after keynote speaker, she has presented around the world on AI integration, clinical simulation, competency-based learning, and innovative approaches to advancing health equity.
Dr. Bryant is an accomplished scholar, consultant, and professional leader whose work includes peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, funded research, and millions of dollars in grant support. She serves on several national and international boards and committees, including the INACSL Board of Directors, the Virginia Nurses Foundation Board, and the Global Network for Simulation in Healthcare Advisory Board. Her many honors include induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, a Simulation Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, and a Fellow of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing, as well as recognition from the International Council of Nurses, the National Black Nurses Association, and Congress member Hakeem Jeffries.
Esmira Yusufova
Leadership often comes with invisible weight such as decision fatigue, emotional labor, and the pressure to always have it together. In this session, discover Neurographica, a creative, evidence-informed reflective practice that helps you process stress and reconnect with clarity. No artistic skill required! You need a willingness to draw, reflect, and release. Walk away with a simple technique you can use anytime, anywhere.
**For this session, everyone needs paper to draw on, a black marker, a pen, and a set of colorful markers/highlighters.
Esmira Yusufova, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE-A, AHN-BC, NE-BC is a nurse educator, simulationist, and holistic nurse whose work integrates innovation, creativity, and compassionate care in nursing education. She uses Neurographica and other reflective practices to cultivate empathy, cultural awareness, and professional growth among nursing students. Drawing on her background in holistic nursing, spirituality, and creative modalities, she is passionate about advancing innovative approaches that support the well-being and development of both nurses and the patients she serves.
CONTINUEING EDUCATION
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare “SSH”, the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning “INACSL”, the Association of Standardized Patient Educators “ASPE”, and The Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialist “SimGHOSTS”.
The Society for Simulation in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive a maximum of 4 credit hours of Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
DATE: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
COST: $100 ($80 for non-credit)
