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Faculty

Timothy Whitaker

BS,CHSE,CHSOS,FSSH, EMT-P
Educator
SSH

TIMOTHY WHITAKER, BS, CHSE, FSSH, CHSOS, EMT-P, CMTE, is the former Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Elevate Healthcare. Tim lead the planning, coordination, and execution of strategic programs that support the advancement of simulation-based healthcare education, with academic, clinical, and military, as well as other disciplines, domestically and internationally. He’s an experienced simulation educator, center designer/operations consultant, professional manager and operations manager credentialed by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare as both a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist, and a Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.Tim is active in many associations for simulation worldwide. He is the Vice Chair of the SSH Internal Relations Committee for Membership Engagement. Tim also serves on the Education Committee for the Society for Simulation in Europe.

2026 Sessions

Injury by Instruction: Training Scars in Simulation

Yes, I understand

In EMS education, simulation is a powerful tool for building critical thinking, teamwork, and hands-on skills, but it also carries the risk of creating “training scars”—behaviors unintentionally taught that fail to translate into safe, effective prehospital practice. These scars often emerge from shortcuts, unrealistic constraints, over-cueing, or habitual practices built into scenarios that don't reflect real-world environments.

As educators, every instruction we give—whether explicit or implied—can profoundly influence how learners perform under stress. This presentation examines how training scars develop, how they manifest in field performance, and how we as instructors can redesign simulation to prevent them. By recognizing these pitfalls and integrating strategies that enhance realism, accountability, and critical reflection, we can ensure that the habits formed in training truly prepare our learners for safe, competent, confident patient care in the field.

Co-Presenter (2 Presenters)

Friday, October 02 9:45–10:45 AM
Room W222 A
Faculty

Carrie Gigray

PhD(c), MSHS, CHSE, CHSOS, GC-HQS, NRP
Clinical Faculty
Providence

Carrie Gigray is a healthcare simulationist with expertise in EMS critical care, education, and simulation training. She is a PhD candidate at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, researching EMS simulation. Carrie holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation and a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality & Safety from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is dual-certified as a CHSE and CHSOS, combining operational and instructional skills to provide high-quality simulation education. With over 15 years as a clinical educator and simulation developer, she specializes in innovative, interprofessional education, curriculum alignment, and professional development to improve patient outcomes and foster collaboration. Carrie has presented nationally and internationally on healthcare education and simulation, professional development, and cost-effective solutions.

Faculty

Timothy Whitaker

BS,CHSE,CHSOS,FSSH, EMT-P
Educator
SSH

TIMOTHY WHITAKER, BS, CHSE, FSSH, CHSOS, EMT-P, CMTE, is the former Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Elevate Healthcare. Tim lead the planning, coordination, and execution of strategic programs that support the advancement of simulation-based healthcare education, with academic, clinical, and military, as well as other disciplines, domestically and internationally. He’s an experienced simulation educator, center designer/operations consultant, professional manager and operations manager credentialed by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare as both a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist, and a Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.Tim is active in many associations for simulation worldwide. He is the Vice Chair of the SSH Internal Relations Committee for Membership Engagement. Tim also serves on the Education Committee for the Society for Simulation in Europe.
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