In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Professor Sharon Weldon, the incoming president of ASPiH, reflects on her inspiring career from nurse to simulation leader. Sharon shares her journey from personal experiences that shaped her passion for patient safety to her leadership in building the Greenwich Learning and Simulation Centre. She outlines ASPiH’s vision for global collaboration, innovation, and advocacy in healthcare simulation. Sharon also highlights her team’s project to develop an ambulance driving simulator designed to improve paramedic safety. Her commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration positions her as a key figure driving simulation’s future.
In an insightful episode of Between 2 Simulators, Professor Sharon Weldon, the incoming president of ASPiH (Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare) and a key figure at Greenwich University, shared her inspiring career journey and her ambitious vision for advancing healthcare simulation. Speaking with host Jake Rahman at IMSH 2025, Sharon reflected on her background in nursing, her unexpected transition into research and simulation, and her plans to foster collaboration and innovation within the global simulation community.
From personal experiences that fueled her passion for patient safety to her leadership in driving simulation forward, Sharon’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, advocacy, and the transformative impact of healthcare simulation.
A Career Inspired by Personal Experience
Sharon’s path to nursing was shaped by a deeply personal experience. As a teenager, she was misdiagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. The misdiagnosis led to aggressive treatment, and a surgical swab left inside her arm resulted in a severe infection that kept her in and out of hospitals for two years.
“The nurses were amazing,” Sharon recalled. “They supported me emotionally throughout my treatment. That experience left me with a profound admiration for nursing — and a determination to make a difference.”
Her early experiences motivated her to train as a nurse, specializing in infectious diseases, HIV, and TB. However, she often found herself frustrated by inefficient systems in clinical practice. Determined to improve healthcare delivery, Sharon pursued a Master’s in Global Public Health and transitioned into research — a decision that would unexpectedly lead her into the world of simulation.
Discovering Simulation: A New Path
While working in public health research, Sharon was invited to collaborate on a project exploring communication in operating theatres — a natural interest given her past experience with surgical errors.
“I was fascinated by operating room dynamics,” Sharon explained. “Having experienced a surgical mistake firsthand, I knew how vital effective communication was to patient safety.”
That project, led by renowned simulation expert Professor Roger Kneebone, marked the beginning of Sharon’s deep involvement in healthcare simulation. Under Roger’s mentorship, she transitioned into simulation research, eventually earning her doctorate in the field.
“Roger opened my eyes to the potential of simulation,” Sharon shared. “We pushed the boundaries of what simulation could achieve, exploring innovative ways to improve clinical training and patient safety.”
Building Simulation Programs at Greenwich University
When Sharon joined Greenwich University, there was no established simulation program. Determined to change that, she took a leadership role in developing the Greenwich Learning and Simulation Centre.
“We started from scratch,” Sharon explained. “But we built a thriving simulation program that became a core strength of our university’s healthcare education.”
Her efforts not only helped improve student learning outcomes but also contributed to Greenwich University’s Gold Award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
“Our students consistently say that simulation is the best part of their learning experience,” Sharon noted proudly. “It’s practical, immersive, and allows them to develop the skills they need to excel in real-world clinical settings.”
Leading ASPiH: A Vision for Collaboration and Innovation
As the incoming president of ASPiH, Sharon is focused on fostering collaboration between simulation societies, industry partners, and healthcare educators worldwide.
“The timing feels perfect,” Sharon said. “There’s a real drive for associations like ASPiH, SESAM, and SSH to work together more closely. By strengthening those global partnerships, we can amplify the impact of simulation in healthcare.”
Sharon emphasized the importance of using this collaboration to promote innovation, research, and knowledge exchange. She envisions ASPiH playing a stronger advocacy role — ensuring that simulation isn’t just discussed within its own community but is actively championed as a vital tool in improving global healthcare systems.
“We can’t afford to work in silos anymore,” Sharon stressed. “If we combine our voices, we can ensure simulation gets the recognition, investment, and influence it deserves.”
Innovating for Ambulance Driver Safety
One of Sharon’s most ambitious projects is a new initiative aimed at improving ambulance driver training. This effort was inspired by the tragic death of Alice Clark, a recently qualified paramedic who died in an ambulance crash just three months after starting her career.
“Alice’s death was devastating, especially since she had been one of our students,” Sharon shared. “It made us realize there’s an urgent need to improve how we train ambulance drivers.”
Working with driver behavior expert Damian Poulter, Charles Everard, and an experienced paramedic educator named Wadsley, Sharon’s team has secured £100,000 in funding to develop an ambulance driving simulator. The project combines immersive simulation with behavioral research to better understand and improve ambulance driver skills.
“Our goal is to create a training tool that enhances driver safety while generating valuable data to inform best practices in ambulance driving,” Sharon explained. “We want to ensure no other student faces what Alice did.”
Balancing Regulation and Innovation in Simulation
When asked about the ongoing debate surrounding regulation in healthcare simulation, Sharon acknowledged the delicate balance between maintaining standards and fostering innovation.
“There’s definitely a place for regulation,” Sharon said. “But my concern is that too much regulation could stifle creativity.”
She advocates for maintaining flexible standards that encourage innovation while ensuring consistency in the delivery of simulation education.
“We’ve only just begun to see what simulation can achieve,” Sharon explained. “With emerging tools like AI and VR, there’s huge potential to revolutionize how we train healthcare providers — but we need space to experiment and explore.”
Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Education
Sharon highlighted her commitment to strengthening relationships between industry partners and the simulation community. Under the leadership of Kevin Sterling, ASPiH has introduced a Corporate Council to encourage vendors and simulation professionals to collaborate more effectively.
“We need to move beyond seeing vendors as just suppliers,” Sharon explained. “By working in partnership, we can develop meaningful solutions that meet the evolving needs of educators and healthcare providers.”
Looking Ahead: ASPiH 2025 in Bournemouth
With ASPiH’s upcoming Bournemouth Conference on the horizon, Sharon aims to build on the success of previous events while adding a new focus on global advocacy for simulation.
“We’re bringing a new flavor to ASPiH 2025,” Sharon revealed. “We want to showcase the strength of the UK simulation community while promoting our partnerships with SESAM, SSH, and other global organizations.”
By combining innovation, inclusivity, and advocacy, Sharon hopes to establish ASPiH as a driving force in the future of healthcare simulation.
Final Thoughts: Leading with Purpose
From her personal journey as a patient to her role as a global leader in simulation, Professor Sharon Weldon embodies resilience, innovation, and dedication to improving healthcare education.
“Simulation isn’t just about technology — it’s about giving healthcare providers the confidence and skills they need to deliver safer, more effective care,” Sharon concluded. “That’s what drives me, and it’s what keeps me excited about the future.”
READ ALSO
