Mastering the IMSH 2024 Conference: Tips and Tales from the Columbia Crew

Unlock the secrets to navigating a major simulation conference with poise and purpose as we share the floor with the 'Columbia Crew' at IMSH 2024. Prepare to be whisked away on a journey through the ins and outs of session selections, time management, and the unexpected joys of spontaneous connections in this episode of Sim Cafe. Join Crystal Murillo, Kellie Bryant, Margarita David, and Anthony Young as they reveal how they balance the packed schedules of a bustling conference with the need for personal downtime and the thrill of networking. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or fresh on the simulation scene, their stories of growth and the art of the meet-and-greet will leave you brimming with ideas and ready to leap into your next conference adventure.

Step into a world where diversity isn't just a buzzword, but a vital ingredient in the evolving ecosystem of simulation. Together, we'll explore why the right shade of mannequins is just the tip of the iceberg, and how implementation science and chat GBT are reshaping the landscape of our field. With a focus on mentorship and the empowerment of committee involvement, this episode is a treasure trove of strategies for newcomers and pros alike. So, light up your earbuds and get set for an enthralling ride through personal anecdotes of transformation, the wisdom of carefully crafted schedules, and the resounding impact of reaching out to make those significant industry connections that could last a lifetime.

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Transcript

Disclaimer/ Innovative Sim Solution Ad/ Intro: 0:00

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of anyone at Innovative Sim Solutions or our sponsors. This week's podcast is sponsored by Innovative Sim Solutions. Are you interested in the journey of simulation accreditation? Do you plan to design a new simulation center or expand your existing center? What about taking your program to the next level? Learn from Deb Tauber from Innovative Sim Solutions. A call to support you in all your simulation needs. With years of experience, Deb can coach your team to make your simulation dreams become reality. Learn more at wwwinnovativesimsolutionscom or just reach out to Deb, Contact today. Welcome to The Sim Cafe, a podcast produced by the team at Innovative Sim Solutions, edited by Shelly Houser. Join our host, Deb Tauber, and co-host, Jerrod Jeffries, as they sit down with subject matter experts from across the globe to reimagine clinical education and the use of simulation. our host, Deb Tauber, and co-host Jerrod Jeffries as they sit down with subject matter experts from across the globe to reimagine clinical education and the use of simulation. So pour yourself a cup of relaxation, sit back, tune in and learn something new from The Sim Cafe.

Deb Tauber: 1:30

Welcome to another episode of The Sim Cafe. And we are here today, live at IMSH 2024, with a group, the Columbia Crew. So welcome, Columbia Crew. And why don't you go ahead, Crystal, and introduce yourself and let our guests know a little bit about you? Thank you so much.

Crystal Murillo: 1:49

It's a good thing to be here as part of the Columbia Crew. That's a new aspect of 2024. So I'm Crystal Murillo. I'm faculty simulation faculty at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. I'm also on the board of an axle, so this is my sixth year attending IMSH and it's always one of the highlights of my year.

Kellie Bryant: 2:09

And good afternoon, I have to say. Deb and Jared, it's good to be back. I was here last year with you, so thank you for the invitation and my name is Kellie Bryant. I'm the assistant dean of clinical affairs and simulation at Columbia University School of Nursing and I'm also with Crystal. I'm on the board of INASCL and I have Crystal. I haven't kept track of how many years, but I would say probably about six or seven. Also, I need to make sure it gets better and better, and now I'm going to pass it along to my other simulation colleague.

Margarita David: 2:36

Hi, thank you for inviting me. My name is Margarita David. I am the director of simulation programming for Rowan University Medical School in New Jersey, south Jersey, and you know this is my second IMSH, so I think I'm still a newbie right, but I'm definitely more comfortable this year around going around and seeing everyone, so I'm super excited. Again, thank you for inviting me.

Anthony Young: 2:58

And my name is Anthony Young. I'm a sim educator and also standardized patient coordinator at Columbia University School of Nursing. I am a newbie, this is my first time, so I'm excited to be here and we have some more questions that we will go into. That will go into my experience, but I'm very excited to talk more about the conference.

Deb Tauber: 3:18

Well, welcome, and I'm going to just ask a couple of questions. What did you do to get ready?

Anthony Young: 3:24

Okay, the newbie will go. Oh, okay, not the newbie. So what I did? I have had context with other conferences so I know how to prepare. If this was my first conference I would have been totally overwhelmed because it's a lot. So I definitely go. I went through the brochure online to see what sessions are available, to identify what I wanted to attend. So definitely keeping it organized of what was available and then printing out certain things so I can make sure that I have some type of strategy or focus when I go in. So that's how I prepare.

Kellie Bryant: 3:55

Seeing this is my six, seven time. I think I'm a pro at preparing, so obviously the first thing is paying for the conference. Get your flight, get your hotel, and I think the best part is when you finally have that app going in there. And it's like Christmas picking out ooh, which session do I want to go to? There's so many choices so it's so hard. But I do take my time and really read the description to find out what's the best fit for me and try to have a variety of different sessions that I attend. And then, because I'm also presenting here and obviously there's that whole aspect of preparing for the workshop that just literally.

Margarita David: 4:27

I definitely second that Margarita here. So for me to prepare for this number one yes, getting those approvals and getting those fees paid right. Once everything has come together and that app opens, I start looking at what are my focuses for the year for our simulation center. It could be, for you know, in my case IPE. So what are the events that are IPE related in the booklet or in the app? And then I start picking and it is fun to pick, pick, pick. Sometimes you pick a little bit too much, but I also presented at the conference, so I wanted to make sure I was ready and I just finished that presentation. It went really well. So it's always an exciting place to not only learn and engage with others but also meet your friends. You know, meet up, like Kelly, like all of us, and a little group chat. You know we're getting ready for this conference every time.

Crystal Murillo: 5:13

I think I start planning for next year's conference at this year's conference. I think it does help that this is not my first time. I can definitely see the difference this time. One of the things I was intentional about was leaving white space in the activities, because we're here, Kellie and I are here members of the board in that capacity, and so we have that element of planning. And then there's the element where you're presenting and the other obligations, and so I think it's important to be sure that you capture all of the necessary areas that you need to attend, but also to plan space to just process recharge. I think that's equally important as getting to all of the sessions. That was something different I actually did this year was intentional white space in my calendar, and it feels great.

Jerrod Jeffries: 5:52

And I think that's that is some good advice to the new people, because I think myself included I know I'm overly excited, I gotta do this, gotta do this, gotta do this, and intentionally. Even white space is very smart and hearing that some of you presented. So I want to hear more about these presentations or a little bit more about what you've done in terms of putting on other activities throughout the conference, if there's something at lunch hours or more conversations around anything.

Crystal Murillo: 6:20

I like to say one of the things that I've done different outside of the traditional presentation committee meetings was to be intentional and network with those who might be first time attendees, have shared areas of interest. So I've really I've tried to do some things different this year. You know, what can I do different in terms of attendance that I haven't really done. So it's been, for me, networking with those who are first time attendees within the United States and outside of. Met so many individuals outside of the United States which we know they're here. What's different for me in terms of activities was networking with those outside of the United States and it's been great.

Kellie Bryant: 6:57

And, for me, something interested that we did for the first time this year. I happened to be the vice chair of the DEI committee for SSH and we had a table at lunch where anybody can come up and ask us any questions related to DEI. So at first we were like I don't know if anybody's going to show up at the table. And then all of a sudden people started coming and Mark Orita was at the table with me and we just had really rich discussions because so many people have questions. They want to do it but they just don't know how or how to start. So it was really nice to have these conversations give people strategies and tips and resources so that they can incorporate more DEI into their simulation programs.

Margarita David: 7:31

Exactly and to second that. I mean the DEI table was really good because, you know, a lot of times people are walking on eggshells when they're talking about DEI content and how to address these topics right. So it's important for them to feel comfortable and we let them know of that. In terms of my presentation, I presented on how to brand your simulation center, so the attendees were able to learn tools that they can go back to their institutions put into practice in order for them to get monetized and have an audience and be visible to everyone out there on social media so their engagement can grow and their following as well.

Anthony Young: 8:06

And then just to piggyback on the networking aspect of it. So I met up with another first timer who's interested in nursing. So I'm a registered nurse, so I will always speak about nursing for the rest of my life. So during lunch today we had a conversation to talk about what was my nursing career look like, what are the opportunities that he may have. So it was very encouraging for him, but also exciting for me, to be able to talk about nursing and to give him some words of wisdom from my experience and also encourage him to speak to other nurses so that he can understand their experiences too. So that was great for me.

Deb Tauber: 8:39

Thanks, thanks. Well, now I'm going to ask you guys each another question what was your favorite session, or exhibit, something that you might have seen in the exhibit hall, or if you have a session.

Kellie Bryant: 8:51

Well, I would say my favorite I don't know if you want to call it a session was the President's Ball, and the reason being is because I became a fellow Congratulations. So I was so proud to walk across that stage and get my ribbons in my pin, and so, yes, I'm very proud about becoming a fellow in the Society for Simulation and Healthcare.

Crystal Murillo: 9:10

I think it was also a favorite to see Kellie walk across the stage and be inducted as a fellow. Another favorite for me was the plenary yesterday. Michael Bonner oh my God.

Margarita David: 9:19

That was great.

Crystal Murillo: 9:20

That was such a great way. High energy. I feel like that was such a great way to get the conference off to a great start. Not only was he high energy, but he had such an inspiring message that I know I'm definitely taking with me some of the things that he shared. It was just really great.

Margarita David: 9:36

Yes, that plenary yesterday was awesome, but today I was able to participate in the five steps to incorporating DEI into stimulation, because I think that a lot of simulation centers are lacking in that and they think that DEI is just a skin tone of a mannequin when it's so much deeper than that. So I was happy to see that there are centers that are focusing on incorporating this into these cases.

Anthony Young: 10:03

And then just coming back from a session today just talking about implementation science. So then, how to implement that simulation program. So looking at the first step, looking at the stakeholders does it align with your organization? And then doing an evaluation. So the implementation science was very great for me. And then also chat GBT being able to learn how to implement that in developing scenarios. Kelly was very helpful in introducing me to that, so I have more skills that I can use now to take that back to Columbia for our students. So I'm excited about that experience.

Jerrod Jeffries: 10:38

And it's such a diverse group of sessions that you can attend and there's always something for everyone, Because I could really see a big contrast. But Diamond Ball, Kellie, congratulations.

Margarita David: 10:49

I missed it. I was exhausted.

Jerrod Jeffries: 10:52

And so next question though and we'll wrap it up with this is because we do have, you know, different years of people attending. Do you have any suggestions or areas that you think could be enhanced for future conferences, for IMSH?

Crystal Murillo: 11:05

Well, I think it's great. So I've been in simulation for quite some time now and again attended conferences this conference for many years and it's great to see the increase in representation and product and the individuals from the vendors here represent it and I don't know that I hope the vendors will be able to hear this message, but I think it's important. So the representation obviously is great. We see the increase in that, but I think it's important that the representation actually reflects what it intends to represent. I would like to see a more accurate representation of the patient populations that we serve around the world.

Kellie Bryant: 11:37

And for me. I'm trying to look at it from the perspective of somebody new coming here for the first time, like Anthony, and I can see how this can be totally overwhelming, and I've heard comments that people choose the wrong sessions. That might be not for a novice, but more for somebody with a little bit more experience. So maybe having more of a mentorship and letting that begin before we get to the conference like talking to someone for the first time and giving them advice about what sessions to choose and about the exhibit hall and just things to do, and just guiding them through their first experience so that it's not as overwhelming and, like Crystal said, making time just to kind of have that white space to relax, because right now I've been running, running, running I've got a little bit of a headache.

Kellie Bryant: 12:15

So I know I need to, you know, have some calm time, but that kind of advice I think would be great for somebody new. So creating whatever that is I don't know if it's a mentorship or something for those first timers- I definitely agree with Kellie.

Margarita David: 12:27

In addition to that, I will like and this is more for the conference itself I would like to see more options being offered throughout today, that period where we have that break in the middle between what is it? 11 and 1, where we can have a lot of the sessions that are really, really good spread out more Because, for example, I presented between 2 and 3:30. So there were so many excellent sessions, especially Kellie had, when I, you know, wanted to support her, she wanted to support me and we could not because a lot of them were in this at the same time slot. So I think that if they kind of spread it and give the people an option you know, they know they have to take lunch, they'll eat when they can, but give them more of an option to be able to attend more of these sessions, I think that will be a good improvement.

Anthony Young: 13:08

And then to piggyback on that in regards to the sessions, I think, if I remember correctly, Sunday was the day where it was just the exhibit hall. So I think that may have been an opportunity to spread some of the workshops into Sunday so that it wasn't so packed into Monday and to Tuesday. So I had the same situation too. There were many workshops that I wanted to attend, just had to choose between which one I was going to see and which ones. I would have to just get information later. So I think, definitely using that exhibit hall I don't know if that was strategically or if that's the first time that was done, but maybe having workshops on the day of opening of the exhibit hall would be an opportunity.

Crystal Murillo: 13:45

And I have one last suggestion. I think it would be helpful. Even as a veteran attendee, I think the schedule can be confusing at times. So definitely for first time attendees, I think it might be helpful if, at the beginning of the conference, maybe on Sunday where there's more time in the schedule, that they could have a session for even the first time attendees to help them understand the schedule. Because, again, we're educated, college educated, but I think the schedule can be complex. So even if at minimum there was a session to help first time attendees navigate that schedule, I think would be helpful.

Deb Tauber: 14:15

Yeah, that's a really good suggestion, Crystal, If we were to have something for first time attendees to get acquainted with the conference, the things that they can expect. Yeah, that's a great suggestion. Now, do you guys have any words of wisdom that you'd like to leave our guests with parting thoughts?

Crystal Murillo: 14:33

I have words of wisdom. I'm so excited about what simulation has become and the future of simulation. We've been in simulation for many years so it's really exciting to be a part of some of the conceptualization pieces of it, but to see how those pieces have grown. And I think in all of this, as educators whether that be in academia or practice we have to remember to take some time to self-care, take intentional time to care for ourselves and be at our best so that we show up for those in our circles at our best, because they benefit from that, and I don't think we think about that as much as we should.

Anthony Young: 15:05

From my perspective as a newbie, it's just being open to the experience and immersing yourself in it. So that's connecting with more seasoned individuals within the organization and then also just stretching yourself. So going to workshops that may not be connected to things that you're doing, because it can then take you to the next level. So definitely my biggest thing is just be open to learning, open to the process. It's very important. So just being open to the process.

Kellie Bryant: 15:34

And I'm going to build on what Anthony said. I've been in simulation fields for about 15 years and I would encourage people, particularly people that are new to simulation, become involved. It just comes to the conferences actually join a committee, because then you get involved, you get to meet people, you get to network and next thing you know you're the chair of that committee and then you're on the board. And I think that's how Crystal and I started. I was scared and timid at first because I was like I don't know anybody, I'm too new, but I learned so much by being actively involved. Whether it's SSH or an INASCL or ASP but any of the organizations. Just put your foot in there and just become active and join some committees and then you never know where it can go from there.

Margarita David: 16:13

And in terms of networking, I think that's super important. I wouldn't be right here if I wouldn't be networking. I've been. You know, I went to IMSH last year. I saw Dr Desiree Diaz standing somewhere and I'm like, oh my God, and I reached out and then since we went that night, we went out, we had some fun. You know, since then we've kind of developed a friendship and it's all of us. So if you don't network, sometimes it might be hard to get to know other people. It's just not be afraid of introducing yourself. They're not going to be me. And then I say, oh, I don't want to talk to you, but you don't know where that's going to lead to. And it leads literally to lifelong friendships.

Deb Tauber: 16:51

Yeah, very nice and we're really grateful to have had all of you here today and to get to meet you and enjoy hearing your experiences about the conference. Thank you very much and happy simulating.

Disclaimer/ Innovative Sim Solution Ad/ Intro: 17:05

Thanks to Innovative Sim Solutions for sponsoring this week's podcast. Innovative Sim Solutions will make your plans for your next Sim Center a reality. Contact Deb Tauber and her team today. Thanks for joining us here at The Sim Cafe. We hope you enjoyed. Visit us at www. innovativesimsolutions. com and be sure to hit that like and subscribe button so you never miss an episode. Innovative Sim Solutions is your one stop shop for your simulation needs, a turnkey solution.