Press Release – Virtual Simulation Program Collaboration

Dear Community,

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), in partnership with the Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network (LHEARN), is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking Emergency Department (ED) Virtual Simulation Education Program for the 2025/26 year. This initiative will serve as a proof-of-concept collaboration designed to transform how emergency care education is delivered in rural healthcare environments.

The program emphasizes multidisciplinary teamwork, critical thinking, and clearly defined clinical roles through scenario-based simulations that reflect the realities of rural emergency department practice. Training prioritizes decision-making, communication, and coordinated response — training teams to work the way they actually practice. Structured debriefing sessions will allow participants to identify system gaps, reinforce effective behaviors, and deepen reflective learning. This innovative model brings together leading expertise in emergency medicine and healthcare simulation. HHHS welcomes the contributions of Dr. Harrison Bishop, a full-time emergency physician whose rural clinical experience and passion for medical education inspired the program’s concept. Dr. Bishop’s background spans advanced emergency medicine training, bedside ultrasonography, and leadership in physician education — all grounded in a strong commitment to improving rural care delivery.

The initiative is further strengthened by the involvement of Dr. Adam Dubrowski, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Simulation at Ontario Tech University. As founder of the maxSIMhealth Living Laboratory, Dr. Dubrowski is internationally recognized for advancing simulation-based healthcare training. His research leadership and collaborative work have been instrumental in bringing this virtual simulation model to life.

Together, HHHS and Lakeridge Health are leveraging cutting-edge technology to support innovation in rural healthcare education — strengthening clinical readiness, team performance, and patient-centered care. Leaders believe this proof-of-concept initiative has the potential to redefine simulation training accessibility and effectiveness for rural emergency departments.

“This program represents an exciting step forward in how we prepare healthcare teams,” said Dr. Bishop. “By aligning simulation training with real-world rural practice, we are building stronger, more confident teams and ultimately enhancing care for our communities.”

The Virtual ED Simulation Program marks the beginning of a collaborative journey toward innovation-driven healthcare education. HHHS looks forward to evaluating its impact and exploring future expansion opportunities.

Thanks so much, 

Media Contact:
Haliburton Highlands Health Services
Lauren Ernst, Chief Communications Officer
lernst@hhhs.ca