Simulation program
About the Program
The Simulation Program is an ever expanding, diverse, collaborative program that has been in formal operation since 2009. The Simulation Program was initially accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2013 and most recently renewed in 2023. The Simulation program supports over 6,800 learners and facilitates more than 31,800 learner hours each year.
SimKIDS Simulation Symposium
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Designed for diverse healthcare simulation interprofessional colleagues at all stages of their careers, this hybrid symposium brings together educators, clinicians, allied health professionals, system leaders, and innovators to explore how simulation can help healthcare systems flourish.
CPR & Resuscitation Training for Providers
The Resuscitation Education Program provides basic and advanced life support training for SickKids staff, families and community members. Using evidence-based education and CPR feedback technology, the program supports high-quality CPR training and leads initiatives across SickKids, including team training, mock codes and Resuscitation Week events.
CPR and Resuscitation Training for the Community
The Resuscitation Education Program provides engaging learning opportunities tailored for families, friends, and members of the community. Whether you're passionate about acquiring life-saving skills or simply curious to learn, everyone is welcome to join!
The Simulation Program develops and delivers high-quality, simulation-enhanced education for staff, students and academic trainees. Through engaging learning experiences, professional development and skill-building opportunities, the program supports learners and educators across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical areas at SickKids.
PaediPrep: Advancing Essentials of Paediatric Nursing
We also offer specialized simulation-based learning opportunities designed for specific professional roles and areas of practice:
Circumcision Learning Experience Using Simulation Workshop (CIRCLES) 2026
CIRCLES is an in-person, comprehensive workshop that provides simulation-based training and education related to the neonatal circumcision procedure. This workshop involves multiple phases of training and evaluation that will facilitate skills development for novice or intermediate providers of neonatal circumcision.
High School and Youth Programming
The Simulation Program offers interactive learning experiences that introduce high school and youth learners to healthcare, simulation and STEM. Through hands-on activities and real-world applications, learners can explore healthcare careers, build practical skills and discover how science, technology, engineering and math are used in healthcare settings.
Explore the Simulation Centre
Located in the Patient Support Centre building at 175 Elizabeth Street, our facility offers 11, 500 square feet of flexible education and research space.
You can find the following features within our Simulation Centre:
- Four simulation suites
- Four debriefing rooms
- Six OSCE style suites
- Two large multipurpose rooms for procedural training and large group sessions
- An Immersive suite equipped with projection technology and capable of VR training,
- The SimKids Invention lab housed with 3D printers
- A student lounge
The Simulation Program is mobile and the team delivers in-situ simulations in many units, as well as, travelling to hospitals throughout the community to facilitate training and quality improvement work. You will also find a variety of task trainers and manikins to support many different learning objectives.
Tour our state-of-the-art Simulation Centre
Explore our 11,500 sq. ft. Simulation Centre at the Patient Support Centre, featuring simulation suites, debriefing rooms, OSCE-style suites, multipurpose training rooms, an immersive VR suite, the SimKIDS Invention Lab with 3D printers and a student lounge.
Experience our cutting-edge Immersive Simulation Room
Our Immersive Room uses advanced projection technology to place users in lifelike simulations, from ICU environments to ambulance transport scenarios, while seamlessly incorporating VR training.
Simulation research
The SimKIDS Research Services team offers full support for simulation-based education studies, helping researchers at every stage. Our services include:
- Study consultation: Assistance with protocol development, grant submissions, and REB applications.
- Simulation Centre coordination: Scheduling and facilitating study visits.
- Publication support: Help with manuscript writing, journal submissions, and conference materials.
- Data analysis and REDCap support
Have any questions for our research team? Please reach out to simkids.research@sickkids.ca
Become a research volunteer
Are you interested in becoming a research volunteer?
Please visit the upcoming opportunities for more information.
Have any questions for our research team?
Please reach out to simkids.research@sickkids.ca.
Meet the team
The Simulation Program has a core operations team consisting of eight full-time and part-time staff with diverse skills ranging from technical, clinical and administrative expertise. The Simulation Educators and Resuscitation and Simulation Educators provide debriefing skills and clinical knowledge paired with Simulation Specialists who provide technical expertise. The team is led by Emily Louca, Education Manager.
Emily Louca
Director, Simulation
Jabeen Fayyaz
Medical Director
Carrie Mendolia
Administrative Coordinator
Leah Shoemaker
Program Coordinator
Jennifer Allegro
Simulation Educator
Alison Dodds
Simulation Educator
Erin Erlandson
Simulation Educator
Sunayna Vuppal
Simulation Educator
Rafael Velasquez
Sr. Simulation Specialist
Patrick Akkad
Simulation Specialist
Ashley Deonarain
Simulation Specialist
Sydney Fair
Communications Advisor
Julia Infantino
Simulation and Resuscitation Educator
Allan Puran
Clinical Research Project Coordinator
Kaspars Mikelsteins
Clinical Research Project Coordinator
Ankit Walia
Simulation Specialist
Kevin Hua
Simulation Educator
Contact the Simulation Program
For any questions regarding space, equipment, courses or general inquiries please connect with us.
Phone: 416-813-7654 ext. 414658
Email: simlabbooking.requests@sickkids.ca
Research inquiries: simkids.research@sickkids.ca