WELCOME TO IMSH 2027!
The International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) is a scientific conference that explores the latest innovations and best practices in healthcare simulation. IMSH provides the tools and resources healthcare professionals need to advance their skills, impact change in delivery systems and practice, and, ultimately, to improve patient safety.
Get ready for five powerful days of hands-on workshops, inspiring speakers, and game-changing education. IMSH 2027 will bring together thousands of professionals from around the world — and more than 130+ leading companies — to showcase the latest in healthcare simulation.
It’s your chance to explore what’s next, grow your expertise, and connect with the global simulation community like never before.
Registration opens in Fall 2026. Make plans now, and we'll see you Jan. 23-27, 2027, in New Orleans!
(Scroll down for general IMSH questions and answers!)
2027 IMSH Planning Co-Chairs
Tom LeMaster, Med, MSN, RN, CHSE, FSSH EMT-P ret, is Director of Operations at the University of Florida College of Medicine Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation, overseeing operations, finances, personnel, education, and research. His career spans co-founding the simulation center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (2001), managing simulation at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and SIMCARE Operations for Chamberlain College of Nursing.
A prominent leader in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), he served as Board Secretary (2010-2015), past Chair of the Accreditation Council and Reviewer Training, current Chair of the CISA Commissioning Committee, and member of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Dawn M Schocken is the Director of the Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation (ELS) at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. ELS is the arm of UME that hosts all of the students’ hands on learning over the course of the four years of medical students. Dawn has certification of Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) and CHSE-A. She has developed several life-long courses for students including a novel hands-on patient safety / quality improvement course that is taught as an interprofessional educational session for all graduating health science students. Her graduation course Transition to Residency (TTR) helps medical students begin their residencies documenting they have met their EPA competencies prior to graduation.
Dawn chairs the Interprofessional Education (IPE) working committee at USF Health which has produced over 90 hours of IPE modules that all medical students complete. She serves on several national committees to broaden the scope of education in simulation and healthcare. She has extensive experience in accreditation for simulation programs and continues to serve as a site reviewer to broaden the scope of standards of excellence in simulation. Her areas of research interests include patient safety and reduction of medical errors, assessments in the clinical environment, and integration of simulation into medical education as well as Interprofessional educational curriculum development and assessment. She specializes in hybrid simulation with an Interprofessional team approach.
Whitney Smith, RN, MSN, MBA, CHSE is Program Manager at the Children's Hospital Colorado Simulation Center in Aurora, Colorado. With a background as a pediatric critical care nurse and flight nurse, Whitney brings extensive clinical expertise to simulation education and leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Memphis and an MBA from the University of Colorado.
Whitney is actively engaged in the healthcare simulation community, currently serving on the External Relationship Committee and as Secretary of the Hospital Based Simulation Program Section. She serves as an SSH Accreditation Site Reviewer and previously co-chaired the 2024 SimOps Planning Committee. Whitney is a 2014 alumna of the Center for Medical Simulation Instructor Course and contributes to the field annually as a content reviewer for both the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) and SimOps conferences.
The International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2027 will take place Saturday, January 23, through Wednesday, January 27, 2027, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Preconference courses will be offered on Saturday, January 22, and Sunday, January 23, 2026.
Confirmed future dates and locations for IMSH include:
- 🗓 IMSH 2027 – January 23–27, 2027
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana – New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- 🗓 IMSH 2028 – January 22–26, 2028
📍 Orlando, Florida – Orange County Convention Center
While IMSH traditionally takes place in January, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) evaluates potential future dates and venues to ensure the meeting remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
Locations are contracted 8-10 years in advance in order to meet projected size and scope needs. Extremely rare changes to the timing or location of IMSH always will be announced well in advance.
Yes. SSH continually evaluates cities that have previously hosted IMSH and return to those locations when it aligns with logistical needs, accessibility, and the attendee experience. The Society is committed to choosing destinations that offer both functionality and inspiration for our diverse, international simulation community.
Site selection for IMSH is guided by several important criteria:
- Ease of travel for both domestic and international attendees
- Sufficient hotel and meeting space for sessions, exhibits, and networking
- Proximity to academic, clinical, or innovation hubs in healthcare simulation
- Cultural and geographic diversity to ensure equitable access to the meeting
SSH also considers attendee feedback and works to balance affordability with a high-quality experience.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, SSH makes these decisions through a lens of mission alignment, inclusivity, and the long-term benefit to the global healthcare simulation community.
IMSH is built for everyone involved in healthcare simulation — from educators, researchers, and operations specialists to clinicians, program directors, engineers, and students. Whether you're brand-new to simulation or a seasoned expert, IMSH provides the opportunity to grow, connect, and lead in the field.
IMSH features a diverse, multi-day program including hands-on workshops, immersive courses, peer-reviewed presentations, research abstracts, SimVentor innovations, panel discussions, and interactive demonstrations. Whether you're looking for practical training or emerging insights, IMSH offers a format that fits your learning goals.
Registration for IMSH typically opens in September. Visit IMSH2027.org to view pricing, track deadlines, and complete your registration when available. Early-bird discounts are offered, and SSH members receive exclusive pricing.
IMSH offers multiple registration packages to meet attendee needs:
- Full Conference - (Member, Non-Member, US Government, and Full-Time Undergraduate Student rates available)
- Full conference registrations are required for: attending pre-conference immersive sessions, the President’s Diamond Ball, and purchasing a Guest Pass)
- One-Day Pass – includes exhibit hall access and that day’s educational content.
- Guest Pass – only available with the purchase of a Full Conference registration. Separate ticket required for the President’s Diamond ball.
- Group & Institutional – two or more individuals from the same Organization can be billed on one invoice. Discounts starting at 5 people for SSH Accredited programs.
No. At this time, SSH does not offer IMSH as a virtual option. However, SSH provides other ongoing virtual and hybrid content throughout the year. Visit SSIH.org for details.
SSH opens a Call for Content each spring, inviting submissions for courses, research abstracts, SimVentor innovations, and more. All proposals are peer-reviewed. Submission timelines and guidelines are posted once the call opens in the spring.
SSH negotiates discounted rates with hotels near the convention center. Official hotel information and booking links will be available through the IMSH registration portal once registration opens. Booking early is strongly encouraged to secure your preferred accommodations. NOTE: The headquarter hotel traditionally sells out quickly, so plan to book early.
Yes. The IMSH Exhibit Hall is the largest in healthcare simulation (and keeps growing!) and showcases the latest technologies, tools, and services. You’ll find everything from VR and task trainers to full simulation systems, software, and curriculum tools. Exhibitor listings and hall hours will be available closer to the event on the IMSH website.
Absolutely. IMSH includes formal networking receptions, interest group meetups, exhibit hall activities, and plenty of informal opportunities to connect. Whether you're looking to collaborate, recruit, or just meet others in the field, IMSH is a powerful networking hub.
SSH offers a limited number of scholarships each year to support attendance at IMSH. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, professional goals, and/or alignment with the SSH mission. Details and deadlines are posted on the IMSH website.
