The IPSS Officer and Board of Directors Election is open from 10 April - 27 April, 2026. After reading the candidate mission statements, IPSS Members can use this link to vote for President-Elect, Treasurer, 3 Board of Director Officer Positions and 1 Trainee Position.
President-Elect Candidate
Andrew Hall, MBChB, FRCS (ORL-HNS)
Physician Member, United Kingdom
Throughout my career as a pediatric head and neck surgeon engaging with IPSS has been a hugely fulfilling experience with academia and friendship running side by side. I am passionate about leading this dynamic organization to further harness the power of global collaboration and maximize delivery of accessible, high-quality multidisciplinary pediatric simulation.
My simulation research and educational experiences in the UK and US highlights ongoing commitment being awarded an MSc in Educational Leadership and receiving the Royal College of Surgeons of England Colledge Family Award to attend Boston Children’s Hospital Simulation Programme. This work led me to my appointment as simulation lead for one of the largest hospitals in the UK. I have also developed a number of UK Pediatric airway simulation courses for trainees and established clinicians.
My time on the board of directors has been invaluable in understanding the processes, future challenges and ambition of the organization leadership. As previous co-chair of IPSSV Conference (2023), working with the IPSS academy and conference planning group member for 2025 I’d be delighted to take on the further responsibilities as President and I am hugely enthusiastic about embracing the opportunities ahead. Together we can build on the ever-increasing progress made by IPSS in spreading further influence worldwide as we approach our 20th year.
|
Dr. Nordia Thompson-Newell, MBBS, DM (EM)
Physician Member, Jamaica
My mission is to advance pediatric healthcare through
innovative, collaborative, and sustainable simulation education. My background
in emergency medicine, with a strong focus on pediatric emergency care, has
highlighted the critical role simulation plays in preparing clinicians for
high-stakes, low-frequency events and improving team performance and patient
safety. I have been actively involved in developing and implementing
simulation-based training programs for residents and faculty, particularly within
emergency and paediatric care environments. My work has emphasized faculty
development, curriculum design, and integrating simulation into clinical
systems to strengthen both individual competence and team readiness. My vision
for the International Pediatric Simulation Society is to continue expanding its
global leadership in pediatric simulation by fostering collaboration,
supporting educators, and promoting innovation in simulation practice and
research. I am particularly passionate about strengthening access to simulation
in diverse healthcare settings, including low-resourced environments and
building sustainable programs. If given the opportunity to serve as Treasurer,
my goal would be to provide careful financial oversight, promote transparency,
and help ensure that IPSS resources are used strategically to support its
mission, strengthen member initiatives, and sustain the society’s global impact
in pediatric simulation.
|
Candidates for Board of Director Positions
Dr. Mirza Aun Muhammad Baig, MBBS, MCAI, MRCPI (Paeds), PGDip Clin Ed, CPHFH
Physician Member, Ireland
I am a paediatrician, clinical educator, and simulation advocate dedicated to advancing patient safety, team performance, and health systems improvement through simulation-based medical education. My professional work spans paediatrics, neonatal and emergency care, healthcare simulation, and faculty development across diverse healthcare systems. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to using simulation to improve clinical competence, interprofessional teamwork, communication, and systems thinking in paediatric care. Over the past year, I had the privilege of serving as a Trainee Member of the Board of Directors of the International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS). During this time, I actively contributed to board discussions and initiatives that strengthened the society’s global engagement and educational impact. My contributions included supporting new affiliations and collaborative partnerships, helping secure Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation for IPSSW Rome 2026, contributing to accreditation processes for IPSS Academy courses and workshops, and enhancing the visibility of IPSS educational offerings and membership to attract broader international participation. Beyond my board role, I am an active member of the IPSS Affiliate Partner Engagement Group and the IPSS Academy Focus Area, where I regularly contribute to initiatives that advance the society’s educational mission and advocate for simulation-based education as a powerful tool to improve paediatric training, healthcare teamwork, and patient safety. My vision for IPSS is to further strengthen pediatric simulation as a truly global community of practice that advances education, research, and patient safety. I am particularly committed to fostering international collaboration and supporting the growth of high-quality simulation training across diverse healthcare contexts, including low- and middle-income countries where simulation access remains limited. If elected to continue serving on the Board of Directors, I will bring continuity, active engagement, and a strong commitment to representing the diverse voices of the IPSS community while helping shape the future of pediatric simulation, strengthening inclusive global engagement across the pediatric simulation community and ultimately improving outcomes for children worldwide.
Dr. Ebor Jacob James, DNB, FICCM
Physician Member, India
I am a Pediatric Intensivist and the Clinical Lead for Pediatric Critical Care at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, India. Over the past two decades, my clinical, academic, and leadership work have been closely linked to improving outcomes for critically ill children through education, systems strengthening, and team-based care. Simulation has become a central pillar of this effort. I have completed the International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS) INSPIRE International Simulation Fellowship, which significantly shaped my perspective on the role of simulation in advancing pediatric healthcare globally. Since then, I have been actively involved in expanding simulation-based education in pediatric critical care, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where structured training opportunities are limited. As the former National President of PediSTARS (Pediatric Simulation Training and Research Society of India) and a member of its core committee, I have helped develop faculty training initiatives, simulation curricula, and collaborative programs aimed at strengthening pediatric training systems. Through these experiences, I have seen how simulation can transform clinical education, enhance team performance, and improve patient safety. My vision aligns closely with the mission of IPSS—to advance pediatric simulation worldwide to improve the safety and quality of care for children. If elected to the Board, I hope to contribute by fostering global collaboration, supporting emerging simulation leaders, expanding simulation capacity in resource-limited settings, and promoting innovative approaches such as telesimulation and low-cost simulation models. I would be honoured to contribute to IPSS in strengthening its global impact and advancing simulation as a powerful tool to improve pediatric healthcare outcomes.
Dr. Thomas Volkman ,FRACP, MBBS
Physician Member, Australia
My name is Dr Tom Volkman and I am the Co-director of
Simulation Education at Perth Children's Hospital (the only tertiary specialist
Children’s Hospital in Western Australia). I have had the privilege of leading
the development and implementation of simulation-based training programs since
2023 and have been involved as a simulation educator since 2017. In addition, I
am a Senior Lecturer with the University of Western Australia. Our simulation
team consists of 3 consultant doctors, 2 simulation trainee medical officers, 1
coordinator and 3 nurse educators and we delivered simulation activity to 3500
participants in 2025 across in-situ and 16 recurring courses. One of my key
goals is to bring people together to share their knowledge and expertise. In
2025 I founded the SimPAC community of practice (Paediatric Simulation
Australasian Collaborative) which has provided opportunities for paediatric
simulation educators in our region to collaborate, we have met 6 times in the
last 12 months and now have >80 members on our contact list. We have
recently completed a DELPHI study aimed at identifying paediatric simulation
education priorities across the Australasian region which I hope will foster
collaborative simulation research in our region. I have been involved with IPSS
for the last 2 years having attended multiple webinars, IPSSV 2024 and was on
the organising committee for IPPSV 2025. I am attending and presenting at IPSSW
in Rome in a few months time. My educational interests lie in the application
of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simulation education and the development of
culturally safe approaches to depicting equity, diversity, and inclusion in
simulation education. Additionally, I am committed to ensuring that simulation
scenarios reflect the diverse and multicultural contexts in which healthcare is
provided. I am undertaking research projects in this area. I have an emerging
interest in Translational Simulation and would like to observe how you partner
with clinical departments to tailor translational simulation activities to
their needs. I feel my broad leadership experience, extensive contacts in the
Australasian region and organisational skills will leave me well placed to
undertake a Board of Directors position in IPSS.
Dr. Franciscar C. Maripfonde, MSc in Social Work
Nurse/Allied Health Member, Zimbabwe
As a clinical social worker, I am committed to delivering evidence-informed, culturally humble psychosocial services to children affected by cancer and their families. I advocate for their rights within health systems and communities, empower caregivers and young patients through strengths-based interventions, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to reduce barriers to holistic care and improve psychosocial outcomes. I bring focused clinical social work experience supporting children diagnosed with cancer and their families within a hospital-based pediatric oncology program in Zimbabwe. My practice included psychosocial assessments, short- and medium-term psychotherapy (play-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-focused approaches), crisis intervention, end-of-life and bereavement support, and caregiver coaching. I routinely coordinate discharge planning, link families to financial, nutritional, and educational supports, and advocate with hospital teams and NGOs to minimize barriers to continuity of care. I emphasize culturally relevant interventions, respect for family systems, and measurable, compassionate advocacy to improve quality of life for children and their - Advocacy — championing access to equitable medical and psychosocial care for children and families. - Empowerment — building caregivers’ and children’s strengths, skills, and confidence. - Inclusivity — honoring cultural, socioeconomic, and identity diversity in care. - Dignity — treating every child and family with respect and humaneness. - Collaboration — working within multidisciplinary teams and community networks. - Evidence-informed practice — integrating best-available interventions with local realities. I envision a Zimbabwe where every child with cancer and their family receives compassionate, equitable psychosocial care that supports healing and dignity. - Medium: I envision a health and community system in Zimbabwe where psychosocial needs of children with cancer are recognized as essential to treatment, where families are empowered with resources and knowledge, and where services are culturally appropriate, accessible, and integrated into pediatric oncology care. With my 3 years of hospital-based experience i use play therapy, trauma-informed cognitive approaches, and family systems methods. Key accomplishments included established caregiver support groups, developed discharge resource pack, led training sessions, reduced missed follow-ups, and play therapy sessions for children with cancer. I collaborate with hospital departments, health professionals and social services department based at the hospital and others.
|
|
