In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Jared Kutzin, President-Elect of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), shares his inspiring journey from EMS and nursing to becoming a leader in healthcare simulation. Jared reflects on how hands-on learning shaped his career, discusses the evolving role of XR, VR, and AR in education, and outlines his vision for expanding SSH’s global partnerships and fostering innovation. He highlights the importance of creating inclusive simulation tools that reflect real-world patient diversity and emphasizes the need to balance innovation with effective implementation in medical education.
In a heartfelt and inspiring episode of Between 2 Simulators, Jared Kutzin, the newly appointed President-Elect of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), sat down with host Jake Rahman to reflect on his remarkable journey in healthcare simulation. As he prepares to lead one of the world’s largest simulation organizations, Jared shared his background, insights, and vision for the future of medical education.
From his early days as a soccer-playing teenager to his current role at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jared’s career has been driven by a deep-rooted belief in the power of experiential learning. His path—filled with unexpected turns, memorable mentors, and impactful moments—serves as a testament to the profound influence of simulation in healthcare.
From Soccer Pitch to Simulation Pioneer
Jared’s journey into healthcare began in an unexpected place: the soccer field. As a young soccer referee, a medical emergency left him feeling unprepared when a player was struck in the face with a ball.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Jared recalled. Determined to gain life-saving skills, he approached his high school science teacher, who encouraged him to take a CPR class. What started as a way to handle on-field emergencies became a gateway to a lifelong passion for emergency care and education.
Jared continued developing his skills, earning certifications in CPR, lifeguarding, and EMS (Emergency Medical Services). His growing interest in hands-on learning led him to join a local fire department, further honing his ability to respond to high-pressure situations.
Discovering Simulation: A Defining Moment
Despite his growing involvement in emergency care, Jared didn’t initially see simulation as his future. That changed during graduate school when his professor suggested he visit the renowned Center for Medical Simulation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There, he experienced an eye-opening session that changed his understanding of education.
“They placed us in a simulated environment, then pulled us out to debrief us,” Jared recalled. “For the first time, I truly understood the power of reflective learning.”
This immersive experience cemented his belief in the value of simulation—a method that mirrored his previous learning experiences in EMS, firefighting, and lifeguarding but had never been formally defined as “simulation” at the time.
Building a Career in Healthcare Simulation
Jared’s path continued to evolve as he combined his background in emergency care with a growing interest in simulation-based learning. After completing his Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management, Jared worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he collaborated with Dr. Chuck Posner to implement simulation for clinical teams.
“That was my first real taste of medical simulation as a professional tool,” Jared said. “It felt like a natural extension of everything I’d experienced in EMS and fire rescue.”
From there, Jared’s career flourished. His hands-on teaching experience, combined with his passion for improving patient care, led him to become a respected figure in healthcare simulation.
Becoming SSH President: A Leadership Vision
Now, as President-Elect of SSH, Jared has a unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare simulation. While many might expect a personal crusade or sweeping reforms, Jared emphasized his commitment to continuity and collaboration.
“We’ve worked hard to reduce the ‘whiplash effect’ that often happens when leadership changes,” Jared explained. “Our focus is on strengthening our strategic direction while ensuring SSH continues to serve its members effectively.”
Jared’s leadership priorities include:
- Strengthening the society’s infrastructure by improving its website, learning management system, and association management system.
- Expanding global partnerships with organizations like the National Association of EMS Physicians and international medical education groups.
- Creating inclusive spaces for all types of simulation disciplines, ensuring that surgical simulation, ultrasound, clinical skills, and emerging technologies like XR, VR, and AI are equally represented.
Embracing Diversity and Realism in Simulation
Jared emphasized the need for simulation tools that better reflect real-world demographics. He praised vendors who are developing wearables, diverse mannequins, and ethnically representative simulation models to address the growing demand for inclusive training.
“Our vendors are recognizing the need to create tools that reflect the reality of today’s patient population,” Jared explained. He highlighted the increasing presence of bariatric mannequins, ethnic diversity, and age-appropriate patient models as key improvements in recent years.
He also sees XR (Extended Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) as powerful tools to enhance learning.
“VR is excellent for novice learners, while AR offers exciting ways to enhance real-world training environments,” Jared said. “The key is to integrate these technologies thoughtfully into curricula.”
Promoting Innovation in Simulation
As SSH President, Jared plans to support innovation through programs like the SSH Fund, which awards grants to innovators developing new simulation technologies.
“The SSH Fund enables us to provide financial support for inventors and innovators in simulation,” Jared explained. “It’s vital that we continue to foster new ideas to drive this field forward.”
SSH’s Corporate Roundtable also plays a key role in connecting medical device companies with simulation educators. By providing industry representatives with a voice on the SSH board, the society ensures closer collaboration between innovators and educators.
Regulation in Simulation: Balancing Safety and Innovation
When asked about the potential for regulation in simulation, Jared acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
“Simulation is still a bit of a Wild West,” he admitted. “We have best practices and accreditation standards, but there’s no centralized regulatory body for simulation tools.”
Jared believes that effective regulation must balance safety with the freedom to innovate. He emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships with organizations like the AAMC and XRSI, which focus on safeguarding data and ensuring simulation tools are used responsibly.
The Future of Healthcare Simulation: Blending Technology with Human Skills
For Jared, the future of healthcare simulation isn’t just about technology — it’s about using innovation to enhance communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
“Simulation is about building muscle memory and confidence,” Jared explained. “It’s not just about creating tools that mimic real-life scenarios — it’s about preparing people to think critically and act decisively in complex situations.”
With the rapid rise of XR, VR, and AI, Jared believes the focus must remain on implementation — ensuring educators have the resources and training to integrate these tools effectively.
“Technology is exciting,” Jared said. “But unless it’s embedded into real learning experiences, it won’t deliver its full potential.”
Conclusion: A Leader Focused on Collaboration
As SSH prepares for IMSH 2026 in San Antonio, Jared’s focus remains clear: to foster a stronger, more connected simulation community.
“This society isn’t just a professional organization — it’s a second home,” Jared shared. “The connections we build here empower educators, innovators, and clinicians to create better training solutions — and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
For Jared Kutzin, simulation isn’t just a career — it’s a calling, one that blends his early experiences in EMS, nursing, and education into a mission to make healthcare safer, smarter, and more effective.
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