The University of South Florida has begun saying that it is the undergraduate group in the world’s first university-based medical simulation project.
The new intensive will be offered through the USF University of Public Health as part of the Bachelor of Health Degree Program in Health Sciences. It was developed in collaboration with the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), one of the world’s largest independent simulation facilities. Students enrolled in the program will take four core courses focusing on simulation operations, educational techniques, center management, and the theoretical foundations of simulation. The program will peak with 120 hours of internships with hands-on experiences across multiple simulation centers.
This initiative is based on the USF’s previous pilot work: a course of simulation operations launched in 2023. The internship programme then continued in 2024, achieving a 100% occupational placement rate for the first group of student groups. Officials say the new focus is designed to prepare students for a rapidly growing industry that plays an important role in training health professionals.
Medical simulation is a training tool currently widely used in medical and nursing schools, hospital systems, military and government agencies. However, up until now, no major research universities have developed dedicated undergraduate pathways for simulation operations. The global healthcare simulation market is projected to increase significantly, with some estimates reaching $17.4 billion by 2030.
Dr Haru Okuda, executive director of USF CAMLS and vice president of interprofessional education and practice at USF Health, said the programme will address urgent workforce needs in both the private and government sectors. “There is a great need for healthcare simulation workers,” Okuda said, citing demand from the Department of Defense and the Veterans’ Health Department.
Dr. Melissa Milner, director of clinical simulation at CAMLS, said the new program provides a clear path to a career that will affect students’ actual patient outcomes. “This concentration creates a pathway for students to enter careers that directly affect outcomes for patients in health care,” she said.
William Brandt, a fourth-grade USF student who participated in the pilot internship, said the program has already launched a new career opportunity for him. He currently works part-time at CAMLS and plans to pursue a career in simulation operations. “This is giving me a great experience,” Brandt said. “This program opens the door for students like me to enter an exciting field, where it can make a real difference in healthcare.”
Concentrations begin in the fall semester.
