In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Pier Luigi Ingrassia, President of SESAM, shares his journey from emergency medicine and disaster preparedness to building a successful simulation center in Italy and leading SESAM. Pier Luigi discusses overcoming faculty resistance to simulation, the importance of professionalizing simulation education, and SESAM’s new initiatives — the Innovation Nest and Research Summit. He emphasizes that true innovation lies in effective teaching strategies, not just high-tech equipment. Pier Luigi invites attendees to join SESAM 2025 in Valencia, a conference that promises to combine learning, collaboration, and community spirit.
In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Pier Luigi Ingrassia, President of SESAM (the Society for Simulation in Europe), shared his inspiring journey, from his early career in emergency medicine and disaster preparedness to becoming a prominent leader in the healthcare simulation community. Speaking with host Jake Rahman at IMSH 2025, Pier Luigi discussed his experiences building a simulation center from scratch, the challenges of driving simulation adoption in academic institutions, and his vision for innovation and collaboration across Europe and beyond.
His insights offer a compelling look at the evolving landscape of healthcare simulation and the steps SESAM is taking to foster progress in education, research, and patient safety.
Building SIMNOVA: A Simulation Center From Scratch
In 2014, Pier Luigi seized the opportunity to establish a simulation center at the University of Piemonte Orientale in Italy. What started as a chance conversation with a university professor about unused campus space turned into the launch of SIMNOVA, a comprehensive simulation center designed to support a wide range of medical disciplines.
“We started with nothing — not even paint on the walls,” Pier Luigi recalled. “But we believed in building a 360-degree simulation center — one that wasn’t limited to emergency medicine alone.”
The journey to establish SIMNOVA wasn’t easy. Pier Luigi faced resistance from university professors who were reluctant to adopt new teaching methods. The biggest challenge? Convincing educators to shift from traditional lectures to small-group simulation sessions, which required more faculty time and administrative support.
“Instead of teaching 100 students in one hour, professors now had to spend ten hours working with small groups,” Pier Luigi explained. “That shift created logistical and cultural resistance — not just in my university, but across Europe.”
By identifying key simulation champions within the institution and gradually demonstrating the method’s effectiveness, Pier Luigi successfully introduced simulation into the university’s curriculum.
From Italy to Switzerland: Expanding the Simulation Vision
In 2020, Pier Luigi moved to Lugano, Switzerland, where he now leads a referral simulation center for the entire Ticino region. The center provides training for healthcare providers across multiple disciplines, reinforcing his belief that simulation must extend beyond isolated specialties to become an integral part of everyday education.
“Simulation isn’t just about technology — it’s about professionalization, ensuring educators are equipped with the skills to manage simulation effectively,” Pier Luigi said.
Driving Change as President of SESAM
Now as President of SESAM, Pier Luigi leads an organization that unites healthcare simulation advocates across 40 countries. SESAM’s expansive network reflects Europe’s diverse healthcare landscape — one that spans multiple languages, healthcare models, and technological resources.
“Europe’s diversity is our strength,” Pier Luigi explained. “By embracing that diversity, we’ve built a culture of inclusion and collaboration that allows us to connect high-resource and low-resource healthcare environments.”
SESAM’s inclusive approach has enabled it to extend its reach beyond Europe, welcoming international affiliates from across the globe — including representation from Australia.
Innovation as a Key Focus: SESAM’s Future Initiatives
SESAM’s commitment to driving innovation is reflected in two major initiatives set to debut in 2025:
1. SESAM Innovation Nest
A new project designed to act as an incubator for innovative ideas in simulation, the Innovation Nest will provide mentorship and guidance for innovators in both technology and education.
“Our goal is to connect startups, simulation experts, and industry leaders,” Pier Luigi said. “By nurturing new ideas, we can accelerate progress in healthcare training.”
2. SESAM Research Summit in Valencia
The upcoming Research Summit will showcase cutting-edge research in healthcare simulation, blending scientific discovery with practical solutions for educators and clinical teams.
“We’ve intentionally focused on innovative research,” Pier Luigi explained. “The goal is to create new frameworks and solutions that educators can apply directly to their training programs.”
Managing Innovation in a Rapidly Evolving Industry
Pier Luigi acknowledged that while innovation is exciting, the term itself can sometimes be misleading.
“Innovation can mean different things to different people,” he warned. “For some, a simple task trainer may feel like a revolutionary tool if they’ve never used simulation before. Meanwhile, others focus entirely on cutting-edge technologies like AI or VR.”
For Pier Luigi, true innovation is less about flashy devices and more about ensuring simulation is integrated into meaningful education strategies. He stressed that high-tech equipment alone won’t improve learning unless paired with well-trained educators who understand simulation methodology.
“Technology doesn’t guarantee results,” he emphasized. “It’s the people — the educators — who make simulation successful.”
Why Attend SESAM 2025 in Valencia?
With the SESAM 2025 Annual Meeting set to take place in Valencia, Spain, Pier Luigi extended a heartfelt invitation to healthcare simulation enthusiasts worldwide.
“Valencia will be a perfect platform to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our shared commitment to patient safety and simulation-based education,” Pier Luigi said.
He highlighted the event’s welcoming atmosphere, noting that first-time attendees would find ample networking opportunities and supportive mentorship.
“We want everyone — whether you’re a beginner or a simulation expert — to feel part of the SESAM family,” Pier Luigi emphasized. “And let’s not forget… the wine and food in Valencia are fantastic!”
Conclusion: A Legacy of Leadership and Collaboration
From building a simulation center from scratch to leading SESAM’s inclusive and forward-thinking initiatives, Pier Luigi Ingrassia has dedicated his career to advancing simulation as a core element of healthcare education.
“Simulation isn’t just about improving individual skills — it’s about changing systems, building safer healthcare environments, and empowering educators to train the next generation of professionals,” Pier Luigi concluded.
With his leadership, SESAM is poised to continue shaping the future of healthcare simulation — promoting innovation, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that simulation remains a powerful tool for improving patient care worldwide.
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