Jennifer McCarthy Named Fellow in Healthcare Simulation
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Jennifer McCarthy (left) with Dawn Shocken, chair of the SSH Academy, during McCarthy’s induction as a Fellow in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare in San Antonio, TX.
Jennifer McCarthy, MAS, NRP, CHSE-A, FSSH, director of clinical simulation and clinical associate professor in Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences, has been named a Fellow in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), one of the highest professional distinctions in the field of healthcare simulation.
McCarthy was inducted as part of the SSH Academy Class of 2026, a globally selected cohort recognized for significant and sustained contributions to simulation-based education, research and service. Fewer than 120 professionals worldwide currently hold the Fellow designation.
Election to the SSH Academy follows a rigorous peer-review process that evaluates leadership, scholarship and impact on the discipline. Fellows are widely recognized by peers as leaders in healthcare simulation and serve as mentors, advisors and ambassadors for the field.
McCarthy is surprised with a Seton Hall Pirate banner by alumnus and SSH Fellow Joseph Lopreiato ’77 after her induction ceremony.
The 2026 cohort reflects the global reach of healthcare simulation, with inductees representing academic institutions, healthcare systems and professional organizations across the United States and internationally. McCarthy is the sole inductee from New Jersey in this year’s class.
At Seton Hall, McCarthy leads the design and integration of simulation-based learning across healthcare programs within the School of Health and Medical Sciences. Her work focuses on embedding simulation throughout curricula to support clinical skill development, assessment of competence, while underscoring compassionate communication to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments.
“Being named a Fellow in the SSH Academy is an incredible honor,” McCarthy said. “I am grateful to be inducted with other international leaders who are equally committed to advancing how we prepare healthcare students for the complexity and responsibility of safe clinical practice.”
In addition to her work at Seton Hall, McCarthy holds multiple leadership roles within the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, including serving as vice chair of the Internal Relations Committee, a voting member of the Meeting Oversight Commission and an accreditation site reviewer and team leader. She is also a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator–Advanced (CHSE-A), a credential held by a limited number of simulation professionals globally.
Program leaders say McCarthy’s election as a Fellow reflects both her individual leadership and the University’s broader commitment to simulation-based education.
“Jennifer’s election to the SSH Academy is a reflection of her leadership in the field and Seton Hall’s continued investment in simulation-based education,” said Vikram Dayalu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, interim dean of the School of Health and Medical Sciences. “ “Her work enhances how we guide and support students across disciplines in their professional formation, while strengthening our collective efforts to advance quality and safety in healthcare education.”
Through the SSH Academy, the Society convenes a global community of simulation leaders to promote excellence in education, research and patient safety. Fellows are formally recognized through the Academy for their lifetime contributions to advancing the discipline.
McCarthy and her fellow inductees were formally recognized in San Antonio, Texas, during the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare on Saturday, January 10, 2026, the world’s largest scientific conference dedicated to healthcare simulation.
Categories: Health and Medicine
