Advancing Health Care Through Simulation – Episode with Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell

In this episode, host Lisa George welcomes Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, Professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. A trailblazer in simulation-based healthcare innovation, Dr. Ferguson-Pell shares how his team leverages XR (Extended Reality) and AI tools to revolutionize clinical training, expand access to education, and reduce barriers for patients and learners alike.

From founding the nonprofit Elixir Simulations to building virtual Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs), Dr. Ferguson-Pell walks us through how immersive technology, thoughtful design, and collaborative models are reshaping the way we train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

He also reflects on his former role as CEO of the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, where he led efforts to integrate patient data into system-wide strategy for improving outcomes.

Whether you're in healthcare, education, innovation, or policy—this episode offers a powerful glimpse into what's possible when simulation meets systems thinking.

About:
NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation, Stacie Wood and Alex Martins of Elevate Healthcare share how cutting-edge simulation tools, smart curriculum design, and interdisciplinary collaboration are transforming clinical training across Canada.

We explore:

• The biggest trends in simulation-based education, including AI, remote learning, and cloud-based tools
• How simulation is evolving to support real-world readiness, workforce retention, and patient safety
• The importance of realism, accessibility, and psychological safety in simulation design
• How to match simulation modalities with educational goals—because high tech isn’t always the best tech
• Best practices for debriefing, emotional safety, and building trust in high-stakes training
• The role of simulation in addressing the “know-do” gap in clinical learning
• What to expect from the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Provincial Summit on May 7

Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7

About:
NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode, we’re joined by Robert Sikora of Edmonton Global to explore the intersection of simulation-based healthcare training and economic development. Robert shares how Edmonton’s growing reputation in health and life sciences is driving international interest—and how simulation is becoming a vital pillar in attracting investment and accelerating innovation.

We explore:

• Why global investors and startups are looking to Alberta—and specifically Edmonton—as a rising health and life sciences hub
• How simulation tools like CAMS at NAIT help companies validate medical devices before going to market
• The role of risk mitigation, workforce development, and R&D cost savings in choosing a region for innovation
• The collaborative advantage of Edmonton’s ecosystem—where post-secondaries, industry, and government work in harmony
• How simulation is reshaping regulatory readiness, product validation, and clinical training
• What attendees can expect from the upcoming Provincial Simulation Summit on May 7

Learn more at “Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit” hosted by CAMS at NAIT on May 7

About:
NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca