Media contact: Hannah Echols
Penni Watts, Ph.D.Penni Watts, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing associate professor and director of Clinical Simulation, has been named a fellow in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy to honor her devotion to health care simulations.
The Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy is a global group of professional health care simulationists who are recognized for their sustained contributions and impact on the field and to the society. Since 2016, 101 individuals from 12 countries have been awarded this prestigious recognition.
“I am honored and humbled to be recognized among leading simulationists around the world. Simulation is an important aspect of health care and our mission of patient safety,” Watts said. “As fellows, we are charged with contributing to advancing the mission and goals of SSH and the academy. I have a heart for those beginning in simulation, and I hope to continue my work as a fellow supporting other simulationists in their journey through my engagement in the society.”
Simulation is one of the fastest-growing fields in health care education. The UAB School of Nursing’s robust simulation program includes a state-of-the-art simulation space that functions the same as a hospital ward and a home health simulation suite, along with bed labs for skills and procedural simulations.
“Our simulation work at the UAB School of Nursing continues to lead the way, expanding experiences across all programs, and has significant value and impact on students and their learning experience,” Watts said. “We are fortunate that our administration supports this important work.”
Watts has worked as an accreditation program reviewer, member of the SSH certification council and chair of the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced certification subcommittee. She has also served as the chair of the International Nursing Association of Clinical and Simulation Learning standards committee.