SimKIDS Simulation Symposium

Call for Poster Submissions

We are pleased to invite poster submissions for the SimKIDS Simulation Symposium at SickKids on September 22, 2026. The poster session is designed to showcase innovative, reflective, and impactful work across healthcare simulation, education, and system improvement. We welcome submissions from educators, clinicians, researchers, learners, administrators, and simulation professionals at all career stages.

Posters may describe completed work, work in progress, program innovations, quality improvement initiatives, or conceptual frameworks. Submissions that highlight collaboration, reflection, and lessons learned, rather than only positive outcomes, are strongly encouraged.

Symposium Themes

The overarching theme of this year’s symposium is: “THRIVE: Healthcare that Flourishes Through Simulation”. Submissions should align with one primary theme below (and may address additional themes as relevant):

A. Value, Evaluation, and Impact

• Demonstrating the value of simulation in education, clinical practice, or system improvement
• Program evaluation, outcomes assessment, and return on investment
• Measuring learner, team, or organizational impact
• Innovative evaluation methods or meaningful use of data

B. Interprofessional and Systems-Based Training

• Interprofessional education and collaborative practice
• Simulation for team training, communication, and coordination
• Systems-based approaches (e.g., workflow testing, latent safety threats, process improvement)
• Simulation across the continuum of care or across organizations

C. Equity in Design and Delivery

• Equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, or anti-oppression-informed simulation
• Co-design with learners, patients, families, or communities
• Addressing bias, representation, or power dynamics in simulation
• Adaptations to improve access, participation, or relevance

D. Trust and Psychological Safety

• Designing psychologically safe learning environments
• Faculty development related to trust, debriefing, or facilitation
• Managing emotional responses, conflict, or challenging scenarios
• Building trust within teams, programs, or organizations

Submission Categories

Authors may indicate one category that best fits their poster:

• Research
• Program or Curriculum Innovation
• Quality Improvement / Patient Safety
• Faculty or Facilitator Development
• Systems Testing or Operations
• Conceptual or Theoretical Work
• Lessons Learned / Reflective Practice

Poster Abstract Submission Guidelines

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and include the following headings:

1. Background / Context
2. Purpose or Problem Addressed
3. Description of the Simulation or Approach
4. Outcomes, Insights, or Lessons Learned
5. Relevance to the Chosen Theme(s)

References are optional and not included in the word count.

Review Criteria

Abstracts will be reviewed by the planning committee and scored using the following criteria:

• Alignment with symposium themes
• Clarity and coherence of the submission
• Innovation, relevance, or transferability
• Reflection on impact, challenges, or learning
• Contribution to healthcare simulation practice or scholarship

Poster Presentation Format

• Accepted presenters are expected to attend the poster session and be available in person for discussion.
• For environmental and equity purposes, posters will be digitally displayed and do not require physical printing. 

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: July 13, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: August 17, 2026
• Poster session date: September 22, 2026, in-person at SickKids

Equity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and psychologically safe symposium environment. Submissions from students, early-career professionals, and individuals from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged. If you require accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please contact leah.shoemaker@sickkids.ca.

Submission Instructions

Please submit your abstract to leah.shoemaker@sickkids.ca with the subject line “Symposium Poster Application”  

Questions may be directed to simlabbooking.requests@sickkids.ca