2026 ELECTIONS

Elections

Voting for the 2026 Elections will open on March 16, 2026. 

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President-Elect Townhall

Join us for a special Townhall event with our President-Elect candidate, Dr. Fara Bowler, on Tuesday, March 10 at 9:00 AM CT. This exclusive session offers members the opportuntity to learn more about the candidate's vision, priorities, and plans and to ask questions directly. Don't miss this engaging and informative conversation designed to keep you informed and involved. Register via the link below. 

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Board of Directors

Dr. Denise Campbell, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, CHSE-A, is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan Flint. As an Associate Professor, she uses simulation as a teaching/learning strategy to assist with critical thinking, interprofessional education, and patient safety. Dr. Campbell earned her DNP from Michigan State University, MSN from the University of Detroit Mercy, and BSN from Oakland University. She participated in the fourth cohort of the University of Michigan Interprofessional Leadership Fellows and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Research Fellowship. Dr. Campbell has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented podium presentations at national and international conferences, received several grants for her simulation scholarship, and has recently been selected as a Distinguished Fellow int he National Academies of Practice. Dr. Campbell is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing, Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Dr. Campbell is in her third year serving as the chair of INACSL's Research Committee where she helps support simulation scholarship, encourages the generation of research ideas and funding, and assists INACSL's research programs and awards. Additionally, Dr. Campbell reviews abstract submissions for the annual conference and manuscripts for the Clinical Simulation in Nursing journal. 

Please click here to view Dr. Campbell's response video. 

Dr. Tiffani Chidume, DNP, RN, CHSE-A, CHSOS, is an associate clinical professor and simulation center coordinator at the Auburn University College of Nursing. She has 23 years of combined experience in nursing education, critical care, and health information technology. Dr. Chidume has worked in healthcare simulation for over ten years and her expertise in coordinating and designing simulations to meet learner needs. Dr. Chidume earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Master of Science in Nursing Informatics from Troy University, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, also from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Dr. Chidume is a content writer for the simulation information hub, HealthySimulation.com. Her research includes simulation methodology, virtual reality, and interprofessional education. She has several publications, presentations, and webinars related to nursing education and healthcare simulation. Dr. Chidume is active in many professional organizations including SSH, ASPE, and INACSL. Within INACSL, Dr. Chidume serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IncluDE) committee, Awards committee, Debriefing Standards sub-committee, and is a past chair of the Nominations & Elections committee. She is committed to advancing the art and science of simulation through research and immersive active learning modalities.

Please click here to view Dr. Chidume's response video.  

Dr. Amy Daniels, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, directs the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Laboratory and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She oversees integrating Healthcare Simulation Best Practices across BSN, master's level entry, and Advance Practice nursing programs. She guides curriculum integration, development, and evaluation of simulation-based education. In her faculty role, she has received awards in teaching, service, and leadership. Dr. Daniels earned her BSN, MS in Nursing Education, and PhD with a focus on psychological safety in simulation-based education from University of Maryland School of Nursing. As a 12-year member of INACSL, she has participated in service activities including the Education committee, Nominations and Elections committee, and the Research committee (Professor Rounds subgroup). As a previous INACSL fellow of the 2019 cohort, Dr. Daniels remains actively involved in continuous improvement of the INACSL Research Fellowship program. Dr. Daniels has published in peer reviewed journals on the topics of psychological safety, and psychological harm with international colleagues. She has also presented on this work both nationally and internationally. In addition to Dr. Daniels' INACSL membership, she holds membership in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) where she launched the Psychological Safety Affinity group exceeding 350 members.

Please click here to view Dr. Daniels' response video. 

Dr. Niki Fogg, PhD, RN, CPN, CHSE, CNE, EBP-C is the Assistant Dean for Simulation and Education Technology and an Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) College of Nursing. In this role, she leads the strategic vision and operational direction of simulation-based education across three campuses, ensuring alignment with best practices and accreditation expectations. She holds a BSN from the University of Texas Medical Branch, an MS in Nursing Education from TWU, and a PhD in Health Professions Education from MGH Institute of Health Professions with a focus on simulation-based pedagogy. Her initiatives include faculty development to address simulation educator shortages, creation of a Clinical Teaching Assistant (CTA) program supporting prelicensure simulation education, expansion of interprofessional simulation programming, and large-scale strategic simulation planning for BSN education. Dr. Fogg has presented and published nationally and internationally on simulation excellence, faculty development, and innovative simulation design. She is an active member of INACSL, SSH, NLN, and Sigma Theta Tau, and collaborates across academic and clinical settings to strengthen simulation-supported learning and workforce readiness.

Please click here to view Dr. Fogg's response video. 

Dr. Christine L. Heid, PhD, RN, CHSE, is the Nursing Simulation Specialist at UbiSim by Labster and an internationally recognized simulation expert. She guides healthcare institutions in implementing immersive VR simulation for nursing education to improve clinical judgment and patient safety. Dr. Heid holds a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. She is an INACSL Simulation Fellow (2017) and an OADN Foundation Research Grant recipient (2020). With colleagues, she developed the Heid ATE Guide for Clinical Learning©. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented globally, and won the Best Abstract Winner for her work applying INACSL Standards of Best Practice to classroom simulation. A dedicated member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), National League for Nursing (NLN), and Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), Dr. Heid serves on the INACSL Cornerstones of Best Practice sub-committee after chairing INACSL’s Education Committee (2024–2025). As the INACSL Co-Chair for the SSH/INACSL/ASPE Best Practices Workshop (2023-2024), she focused on strategic educational planning and content development for implementation and advancement of the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice around the world.

Please click here to view Dr. Heid's response video. 

Dr. Nickolaus (Nick) Miehl, PhD, RN, CHSE, is the Assistant Dean for Simulation & Academic Technology and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing. In this role, he leads simulation practice, education, and scholarship across a multicampus academic system, aligning institutional simulation work with the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP®) and fostering statewide faculty and staff development. Dr. Miehl earned his PhD in Nursing and Health Innovation from Arizona State University, a Post-MSN in Nursing Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and an MSN in Forensic Nursing from Duquesne University. His areas of expertise include simulation program design and leadership, debriefing methodology, competency-based assessment, and the integration of virtual reality and artificial intelligence in nursing education. An active member of INACSL, Dr. Miehl serves on the INACSL Conference Planning Committee and is a long-standing ISEP Faculty Facilitator. He also serves as Governance Chair for Sigma Theta Tau International’s Beta Psi Chapter and is the Lead Simulation Faculty for the HRSA-funded Oregon Rural Nurse Scholars (ORNS) program. Dr. Miehl has published extensively in simulation and nursing education and presented nationally and internationally. His work reflects a commitment to advancing excellence, discovery, and collaboration in healthcare simulation.

Please click here to view Dr. Miehl's response video. 

Dr. Jasline Moreno, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, is the Project Director and Faculty Lead for the Maryland Clinical Simulation Resource Consortium (MCSRC), where she provides strategic leadership for statewide simulation initiatives across 29 pre-licensure nursing programs. She leads long-range planning, faculty development strategy, and system level simulation capacity building, ensuring alignment with the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice. Her leadership has strengthened Maryland’s simulation workforce, expanded educator competence, and advanced consistent, high-quality simulation integration across the state. Dr. Moreno earned her BSN and MSN from the University of Maryland and completed her PhD in Health Professions Education at the MGH Institute of Health Professions with a focus on simulation-based faculty development. She is recognized for her statewide leadership, simulation scholarship, and contributions to strengthening educator readiness through research, publications, and national and international presentations. Her leadership extends nationally through service to both INACSL and the NLN. She serves on the NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted Editorial Advisory Board and completed six years on INACSL’s Membership Committee, including a year as chair. She also serves as an INACSL abstract reviewer and host of Season 4 of the Let’s Talk Sim Podcast, amplifying innovation and excellence in simulation education.

Please click here to view Dr. Moreno's response video. 

Dr. Nikki Petsas-Blodgett, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, ANEF, is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Healthcare Simulation and Experiential Learning for the Duke University School of Nursing Center of Nursing Discovery (CND). As the Assistant Dean, she works with faculty to incorporate standards of best practices in simulation into their courses, helps to design, implement and evaluate student learning in a safe environment. Dr. Blodgett earned her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from Marycrest International University (BSN, 2000), her Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Iowa College of Nursing with a focus on Occupational & Environmental Health (MSN, 2003), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from The University of Iowa College of Nursing with a focus on Adult & Gerontological Nursing (PhD, 2014), and an INACSL Research Fellow (2018-2019). Dr. Blodgett and colleagues developed the Simulation Workload Model that provided key conceptual underpinnings of workload determinants for faculty engaged in simulation-based teaching methods. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, and received awards recognizing the significance and high quality of her work. Dr. Blodgett is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and serves on the INACSL's Board of Directors.

Please click here to view Dr. Petsas-Blodgett's response video. 

Dr. Jennifer L. Roye, EdD, MSN, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, PNAP, serves as Assistant Dean for Simulation and Technology and Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI). She provides strategic, fiscal, and academic leadership for the UTA Smart Hospital, overseeing simulation-based learning across programs and promoting innovation, operational excellence, and faculty development. Dr. Roye earned her Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership from the University of Alabama and her Master and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator–Advanced (CHSE-A), Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), and a Professional Member of the National Academies of Practice (PNAP). Her funded initiatives focus on medical interpretation in simulation, learner well-being, and AI integration in simulation design and operations. She has presented nationally at INACSL, SSH, SimGHOSTS, IMSH, and NLN, consistently promoting the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP).Dr. Roye has published chapters in AI-Powered Education (MavsOpen Press) and Clinical Simulations in Nursing Education (Wolters Kluwer, ed. Pamela Jeffries). She serves on the INACSL Board of Directors and helped lead UTA’s Smart Hospital re-endorsement, advancing standard-driven, high-quality simulation practice.

Please click here to view Dr. Roye's response video. 

Dr. Kathryn Vanderzwan DNP, APRN-FPA, ACNP-BC, CHSE, is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Schwartz Simulation Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Vanderzwan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Iowa in 2002 and then graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 2006 and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2017, both from UIC. Katie has coordinated a variety of courses in the prelicensure nursing curricula over the last 13 years at UIC and has been a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator since 2022. Katie is also a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with full practice authority working per diem in inpatient Cardiology. Katie is an active member of INACSL, serving as current Chair of the Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement committee. She is also former co-chair of the Research Committee, specifically the grants sub-committee. Katie is a past recipient (2021) of the INACSL Research Fellowship and in 2022 she was awarded the INACSL Debra Spunt Research Grant. These awards fostered development of Katie’s research which focuses on prelicensure nursing handoff education with embedded distractors. Katie was recently accepted into the Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing program sponsored by AACN for 2025.

Please click here to view Dr. Vanderzwan's response video. 

Esmira Yusufova, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE, AHN-BC, NE-BC, is a Simulation Educator and Lecturer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. As a simulation leader, she integrates the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice® into curriculum design, emphasizing psychological safety, mindfulness, and reflective practice across all simulation modalities. Esmira earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Hunter College and is currently pursuing her PhD in Nursing at Pace University, where her dissertation research explores virtual reality simulation for spiritual care education among oncology nurses. She is a certified holistic nurse, Reiki practitioner, and Neurographica specialist, blending evidence-based and creative modalities to enhance emotional intelligence and resilience in nursing learners. She currently serves as the Chair of the INACSL Virtual and Immersive Simulation Special Interest Group (SIG) and as Chair of the SSH Mindfulness Affinity Group, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative educational practices. Esmira has presented nationally at INACSL, AHNA, and SSH conferences on mindfulness based approaches to simulation education. Esmira’s professional philosophy centers on integrating presence and creativity into nursing education and leadership. She envisions simulation as both a transformative learning space and a catalyst for compassionate, mindful healthcare practice.

Please click here to view Esmira Yusufova's response video.

Nominations & Elections Committee

Dr. Raquel Bertiz, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, is the Senior Manager of the National League for Nursing’s Center for Innovation in Education Excellence. As the Senior Manager, Dr. Bertiz leads expert health professions educators in developing faculty development courses framed by the INACSL Healthcare Simulations Standards of Best Practice, co-directs the NLN Leadership Development Program for Simulation Leaders and facilitates workshops and presents in national conferences to promote innovations in nursing education. Dr. Bertiz earned her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from the University of the Philippines, Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Paul University Philippines, Post-Masters in Nursing Education from Georgetown University, PhD in Nursing from the University of the Philippines and a PhD in Health Professions Education with a focus on Simulation Pedagogy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions Education. Dr. Bertiz presented at national and international conferences and published in scholarly projects related to simulation education professional development and use of simulation data in curriculum. Dr. Bertiz was previously a lead faculty of the Maryland Clinical Simulation Resource Consortium (MCSRC) where she led the implementation of formal Simulation Education Leadership courses for nurse educators and various initiatives to increase the quality and quantity of simulations in prelicensure nursing programs.

Please click here to view Dr. Bertiz's response video. 

Dr. Kimberly Buholtz, EdD, RN, PED-BC, CNEcl, CHSE-A, serves as the Assistant Director of Simulation and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. In her role, she provides strategic oversight of simulation operations and collaborates with simulation educators and staff to support the delivery of 6,000 simulation-based learning experiences annually across all academic programs. Dr. Buholtz partners closely with course faculty to design and sequence simulation activities that align with curricular outcomes and intentionally scaffold across undergraduate and graduate pathways. Dr. Buholtz earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Rochester, as well as a Master of Science in Education from Nazareth College. She has presented nationally and internationally on simulation best practices and the integration of community engagement into simulation-based education. She also contributes to national efforts through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, participating in workgroups focused on advancing best practices and identifying research priorities in the field. Dr. Buholtz is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She currently serves on INACSL’s Endorsement Committee, where she contributes to strengthening and standardizing the re-endorsement process to support quality and consistency across endorsed programs.

Please click here to view Dr. Buholtz's response video.

Katherine “Kat” A. Kreis, MSN, RN, CHSE-A, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and simulation focused faculty member at The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation. She is the founding Director and Principle Investigator of the RELEASE Lab (Research to Empower Learning and Enhance Aptitude via Simulated Experience), where she leads initiatives that promote safe medication administration, digital literacy, and technology-enhanced simulation-based learning. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing in 2010, and is now pursuing her PhD in Nursing Science at UTA. Her research program focuses on medication administration simulations, including the development of the Modified Medication Administration Safety Assessment Tool (Modified MASAT), and she has presented her work at national and international forums to advance evidence-based simulation practice. Ms. Kreis is deeply engaged in professional service. She currently serves as Chair of INACSL’s Nursing Operations and Technology Special Interest Group and as a member of the INACSL Research Committee, supporting collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of simulation science. Her leadership and mentoring efforts encourage others to grow their skills, share their expertise, and volunteer to contribute to a strong, connected simulation community to improve learner and patient outcomes through high quality simulation.

Please click here to view Katherine Kreis' response video. 

Dr. Kelly Russin, DNP, RNC-OB, CHSE, is the Director of Simulation and Assistant Professor for the University of South Carolina. Dr. Russin earned her degrees from the University of South Carolina where she is currently an Amy V. Cockcroft Fellow. Her significant contributions to simulation include work on the South Carolina Nursing Education Simulation Alliance over the years as she is the current President. She also has worked to revise the simulation position statement with the SC Board of Nursing, established a new position on the advisory committee for the BON, and created the SC Simulation Leadership Council which consists of one simulation leader from each school in the state. This represents her passion for advocating for equity and evidence-based practice in simulation. Dr. Russin is the President-Elect for the Alpha Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Chair of the USC alumni council, and chair of a local hospitals research council where she still works as a staff nurse on weekends. She has published multiple studies on simulation since her graduation as a DNP in 2021. Dr. Russin is the current chair of the INACSL Conference Planning Committee.

Please click here to view Dr. Russin's response video. 

Open Positions

President Elect – one (1) vacancy

The President-Elect is an officer of the Board of Directors. The President-Elect serves on standing or special committees and takes on special assignments as determined by the President and Board of Directors. The President-Elect performs the duties of the President during the President’s absence and accedes to the role of President after serving a one (1) year term.

Board of Directors – four (4) vacancies

The Board of Directors is the principal governing body of INACSL. The Board of Directors provides mission-based leadership and vision, strategic governance, and succession planning.

Directors ensure implementation of strategic initiatives and responsibilities as determined by consensus of the Board of Directors. Directors act as Board Liaisons to Committees, overseeing Committee Chairs within their responsibility to ensure the work of each committee is carried out and identifying committee recommendations that should be presented to the Board of Directors. Each Director provides leadership for succession planning for their position, as well as the position of the Committee Chairs for which they are responsible.

Directors serve a term of two (2) years: 2026-2028.

Nominations & Elections Committee – two (2) vacancies

The Nominations and Elections Committee is responsible for annually soliciting names of members who are interested in running for any office through a virtual nomination process and preparing a slate of candidates for each elective office. 

Members of this committee serve a term of two (2) years: 2026-2028.

Qualifications

Individual members may hold office if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Is or has been chair or member of an INACSL committee, subcommittee, or task force. 
• Is a current INACSL board member or has held a leadership role at a like-minded organization.
• Demonstrates a track record of active participation and contribution to INACSL.
  
  

Time Commitment