Simulation Week 2026 — Scientific Program is a free, six-evening online lecture series delivered by the Saudi Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSSH) in partnership with the Academy of Sciences, running from 14 to 19 September 2026. Every session takes place on Zoom from 8:00 to 9:00 PM Saudi time, one hour per evening, in English, and the Zoom link is shared by email once you register. Registration is free of charge and the programme is accredited for 3 CME hours by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
This year's theme, "Simulation Found Me", frames the week as a story rather than a curriculum: how healthcare simulation arrived in Saudi Arabia, who carried it, where it now stands, and what the next decade is likely to look like. The six lectures move deliberately from origins to frontier.
The week opens on Monday 14 September with Dr. Abdulaleem Alatassi on "How Simulation Found Us: The Story of the Saudi Society for Health Simulation", moderated by Dr. Rola Alrabah. On Tuesday 15 September, Prof. Abdulaziz Boker traces "Healthcare Simulation in Saudi Arabia: From Its Beginnings to Leadership", moderated by Dr. Loui Alsulimani. Wednesday 16 September turns outward with Dr. Cynthia Mosher on "Building Bridges: Regional and International Collaboration to Advance Healthcare Simulation".
The second half of the week looks forward. On Thursday 17 September, Mr. Abdulrhman Almehmadi presents "How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping the Future of Healthcare Simulation", moderated by Dr. Amani Azizulrahman. Friday 18 September brings one of the most debated questions in the field, as Dr. Saud Al-Turki asks "The Future of Simulation: Will AI and VR Replace or Enhance Traditional Methods?", moderated by Dr. Nada Alqarawi. The series closes on Saturday 19 September with Mr. Ajlan Alshehri on "Are Simulation Centers Worth the Investment? ROI, Economics, and Impact of Healthcare Simulation", moderated by Ms. Arwa Alhumaidan — a session aimed squarely at the business case that simulation leaders are asked to defend in front of hospital boards.
The stated course objectives are to describe the development and key milestones of the Saudi Society for Health Simulation, to explain the role of professional societies in advancing simulation practice, education and professional development, and to identify lessons from the Society's experience that can support the future development of healthcare simulation in the Kingdom.
The series is designed for a broad audience: healthcare professionals generally, simulation educators and specialists, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, medical and health professions educators, simulation centre staff and leaders, healthcare administrators, and trainees with an interest in simulation-based education. Because it is fully online, free, and runs in the evening, it is unusually accessible for clinicians who cannot take teaching time out of a working week — and for colleagues elsewhere in the Gulf who want to follow the Saudi simulation community's work.
Delivery is by the Academy of Sciences course platform on behalf of SSSH, with the Society reachable at president@saudi-ssh.org and on social channels as @ssshksa.
