The University of Florida’s Anaclerio Learning and Assessment Center (ALAC) joined simulation educators at the 2026 International Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, held June 21–24 in St. Louis, Missouri. Celebrating the theme “25 Years of Excellence,” the conference brought together professionals dedicated to advancing standardized patient education, simulation-based learning, and healthcare training.
For the UF ALAC team, ASPE 2026 provided an opportunity to share the center’s work with an international audience while gaining new perspectives and strategies to continue strengthening its programs. Through standardized patient encounters, learner assessments, and educational development, ALAC supports experiential learning opportunities that help prepare future healthcare professionals across the University of Florida.
Representing UF ALAC were Dr. Briana Tierno, D.M.H., Assistant Director of Educational and Training Programs; Dr. Ashleigh Wright, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of the Anaclerio Learning and Assessment Center; Dr. Thomas J. Chamberlain, M.D., M.A.E., CHSE, Standardized Patient Educator; Rebecca Bauman, M.F.A., Standardized Patient Trainer; Daniel A. Ramos, M.P.H., Clinical Simulation Operations Specialist; and Adam K. Ward, Standardized Patient Coordinator.
For Bauman, Ramos, and Ward, ASPE 2026 marked their first experience attending the conference. The opportunity provided valuable exposure to international conversations in standardized patient education and allowed the team to connect with colleagues, explore emerging practices, and bring new ideas back to UF ALAC.
Sharing UF ALAC’s Expertise
Throughout the conference, UF ALAC faculty and staff contributed to discussions on standardized patient training, assessment, and communication through three educational sessions that highlighted different aspects of simulation education.
Between the Lines: Developing Learners’ Nonverbal Perceptivity Through Subtext-Driven Portrayals
Rebecca Bauman presented the first workshop session of the conference, Between the Lines: Developing Learners’ Nonverbal Perceptivity Through Subtext-Driven Portrayals.
The 90-minute interactive workshop explored how standardized patients can use intentional, specific, and nuanced portrayals of complex emotions to help learners better recognize and interpret nonverbal communication during clinical encounters.
Participants examined how subtext—the thoughts, emotions, and motivations that exist beneath spoken words—can be conveyed through subtle changes in expression, posture, tone, and behavior. The session also highlighted strategies for incorporating these techniques into standardized patient training programs to support more authentic encounters and strengthen learners’ communication and observation skills.
The Gift of “Yes, And…”
Dr. Ashleigh Wright, Dr.Briana Tierno, and Rebecca Bauman presented the poster The Gift of “‘Yes, And…,” highlighting UF ALAC’s implementation of medical improvisation techniques within standardized patient training.
The presentation outlined a year-long educational intervention designed to strengthen standardized patient confidence, adaptability, and communication skills through principles of improvisational theater. The team shared the development of the training initiative and assessment findings demonstrating increased confidence among participating standardized patients.
The project demonstrated how creative approaches to training can support standardized patients in delivering authentic and responsive encounters while enhancing the learning experience for healthcare students.
A Calibration Workshop to Reduce Rater Variance in SP Assessments
Drs Briana Tierno, Thomas J. Chamberlain, and Ashleigh Wright facilitated a 90-minute workshop focused on improving consistency and reliability in standardized patient assessments.
The workshop provided participants with a condensed version of the inter-rater reliability intervention implemented with UF ALAC standardized patients. Attendees participated in video review, real-time scoring activities, score analysis, and facilitated debrief discussions designed to explore methods for improving calibration among evaluators.
By sharing UF ALAC’s approach to assessment calibration, the presenters provided practical strategies that simulation programs can use to reduce rater variability and strengthen the reliability of learner evaluations.
Learning, Collaboration, and Bringing Ideas Back to UF
Beyond their presentations, the ALAC team participated in educational sessions focused on improving standardized patient programs through practical strategies and operational enhancements. Key takeaways included approaches to streamline standardized patient interviews, strengthen training techniques to improve recall and consistency in portrayal, enhance scoring practices, and develop effective frameworks for providing feedback to learners.
The team also explored cost-effective approaches for recognizing and appreciating standardized patients, as well as strategies for improving program organization and increasing transparency in daily operations. These ideas will help inform future improvements to ALAC’s training processes, procedures, and educational initiatives.
The conference also provided opportunities to strengthen professional relationships within the simulation community. During ASPE 2026, Dr. Tierno reconnected with many professional simulation colleagues, including Valerie Fulmer, Past President of ASPE and current Director of the Standardized Patient (SP) Program at the University of Duquesne College of Osteopathic Medicine, whose mentorship and support influenced Dr. Tierno’s path into standardized patient education.
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
Participation in ASPE 2026 allowed UF ALAC to both contribute to and learn from a community dedicated to advancing standardized patient education. By sharing their expertise, building professional connections, and bringing new ideas back to UF, the team continues to support the ongoing growth and improvement of simulation-based healthcare education.
As ASPE celebrates 25 years of excellence, UF ALAC remains committed to developing meaningful learning experiences that prepare future healthcare professionals through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
