In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George sits down with Eli Kinney-Lang, Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and Director of the engineering arm of the BCI for Kids Lab at the Alberta Children's Hospital.

Eli shares how brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are creating new ways for children with complex neurological disabilities to interact with the world using brain signals to control devices, communicate and even play games.

The conversation breaks down the realities of BCI technology—what it is (and isn’t), how it works in practice and the real-world challenges of bringing it out of the lab and into everyday life.

Key themes in this episode include:

• what brain-computer interfaces actually look like in real-world use
• how BCIs help children bypass physical limitations to interact with technology
• the challenges of accessibility, including sensor design and real-world usability
• why designing for children is fundamentally different and more impactful than designing for adults
• the importance of inclusion, engagement, and user experience in pediatric technology
• how gaming is becoming a powerful tool for learning, connection, and skill-building
• the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in moving innovation from research to real life
• lessons from commercializing pediatric neurotechnology while maintaining a family-centered approach
• how play and social connection are often the biggest motivators for children, not just clinical outcomes
• what the future holds for pediatric neurotechnology, including AI, wearable systems, and scalable solutions

One of the most powerful moments in the episode highlights a child using BCI to independently move his wheelchair for the first time—demonstrating how small technological breakthroughs can create life-changing impact.

About:
NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit here

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, host Lisa George sits down with Sharla King, professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta and Program Director for the Master of Health Sciences Education program.

With more than 20 years of experience in interprofessional education (IPE), Sharla shares her journey into the field, her leadership in collaborative practice, and her ongoing work shaping how health professionals learn to work together effectively.

The conversation explores the evolution of interprofessional education from early classroom-based models to more integrated, experience-based learning that spans simulation and real-world clinical environments.

Key themes in this episode include:

• how interprofessional education often begins with curiosity and grows into a lifelong focus
• the importance of building a “community of practice” across institutions and disciplines
• why resistance to IPE often stems from a lack of understanding, not opposition
• practical strategies for integrating collaboration into already full curricula
• the shift toward embedding interprofessional learning across the full continuum from classroom to simulation to clinical practice
• insights from research on assessing interprofessional competencies during clinical placements
• the importance of clarity in expectations between students, educators, and preceptors
• simple but powerful collaboration skills like perspective-taking, communication, and relationship-building
• how curiosity and collaboration are the best entry points into research
• the growing importance of educator identity and professional development in health education

This episode reinforces a simple but powerful idea: better collaboration in education leads to better collaboration in practice and ultimately, better patient care.

About:
NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit here

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca

In this episode of Advancing Health Care Through Simulation, Lisa George is joined by Tom Waring and Bree Weyland from the NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to deliver a large-scale, high-impact simulation experience.

The conversation centers on a recent Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) simulation, which brought together over 115 students from multiple health disciplines across Alberta. Designed around a realistic building collapse scenario, the simulation required learners to collaborate across the full continuum of care—from on-scene triage with paramedics and firefighters to treatment in both rural and tertiary hospital environments.

Tom and Bree walk through how this complex event was built from the ground up, offering insight into the often unseen role of simulation technologists (SimTechs) in designing, coordinating, and executing immersive learning environments.

Key themes explored in this episode include:

• how early involvement in planning shapes what’s possible in simulation design
• the process of building realistic patient characters to drive clinical decision-making
• the importance of standardized patient (SP) preparation and consistency at scale
• how makeup, environment design, and storytelling contribute to immersion
• managing real-time communication across a distributed simulation environment
• adapting on the fly when carefully planned scenarios inevitably break down
• how learners evolve from individuals into high-functioning teams under pressure
• the growing role of AI tools (like in-house platforms) in simulation development
• the future of the SimTech profession as it expands into design, research, and education

This episode highlights that simulation is not just about equipment or scenarios—it’s about people, planning, adaptability, and creating environments where learners can safely experience the complexity of real-world healthcare.

About:
NAIT Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation – Visit here

This series was produced by Road 55 in Edmonton, Alberta – Learn more at: road55.ca