UofL Simulation Center Achieves Accreditation

The University of Louisville School of Nursing is thrilled to announce that the Simulation Center has achieved accreditation, marking a significant milestone in the commitment to excellence in nursing education.

Chris Pennington, Director in Nursing Simulation, and a key figure in the process of earning this accreditation, shared insights on what makes the center stand out. "Our biggest strength is our faculty’s embrace of simulation as a critical educational tool, especially since COVID," said Pennington. “I started at the School of Nursing at the end of 2019, and at that point, no institutions in Kentucky were accredited as simulation centers. A couple received accreditations in the next few years, but I saw this as a goal for the School of Nursing Simulation Center—to be recognized for the excellence we provide here.”

Another factor contributing to this success is the unwavering support from the administration. "The support from our administration, both financially and institutionally, has also been crucial," Pennington emphasized, highlighting how essential this backing was for the two-year accreditation process. “[It was] a long journey of getting everything for accreditation, ensuring evaluations, data collection, storage, and tracking materials were handled appropriately. To receive full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, an international organization recognized as the leading standard of simulation practices in healthcare, you need two years' worth of data.”

Pennington also praised the invaluable role of tech support in the achievements. "Having strong tech support has also been a key factor," she noted, underscoring the importance of technology in delivering high-quality simulation experiences.

In a statement from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the Council for Accreditation of Healthcare Simulation Programs, they expressed gratitude for the invitation to review the Simulation Program. "SSH’s Board of Review appreciates the effort you and your organization put into developing your application for the accreditation review process as well as hosting the review team for the onsite review," the statement read. After careful review, the Board of Review granted the Simulation Program Accreditation in the area of Teaching/Education by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare on December 23, 2024.

The University of Louisville joins the ranks of only 250 other nursing simulation programs accredited by SSH worldwide, underscoring its program's high standards and excellence.

This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. Special thanks to the following team members for their exceptional contributions:

• Christina Pennington, MSN, RN, CHSE - Director of Nursing Simulation
• Cristin B. Whitaker, MSN, RN, CHSE, IBCLC, CCE - Sim Lab Faculty Coordinator, Owensboro Extension
• Brett Kendon, DNP, CRNA, CHSE-A - Associate Clinical Professor / Simulation Specialist, Nurse Anesthesia Program
• Angela Mehringer, DNP, RN - Sim Faculty, Owensboro Extension (not pictured)
• Mark Stewart - Patient Simulation Specialist, Louisville campus

This accreditation is leading the way for health centers on UofL's campus as the School of Nursing plays a key role in the plans for creating a new state-of-the-art simulation building for all of HSC campus. Pennington and the School of Nursing Dean and project Executive Committee member Whitney Nash will be closely involved in the plans. The grand opening date for the $260 million project is scheduled for 2029 and is the largest amount of funding for a single project in UofL’s history.