Our History
The Simulation Learning, Evaluation, Assessment, and Research Network began its journey on July 17, 2009
when the Acting Undersecretary for Health authorized the establishment of a national simulation training
and education program for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Before moving into the new 51,000 square foot training center in 2016, SimLEARN worked out of and
trained students from a 5,000 square foot leased area in an industrial park. And, as SimLEARN grew, so did
our demand for space.
SimLEARN 2012
SimLEARN Today
The VHA SimLEARN National Simulation Center was built on the campus of the Orlando VA Medical Center,
which is part of Lake Nona’s Medical City.
The Lake Nona area includes numerous large clinical, education, and research facilities focused on
healthcare. This strategic placement facilitates enhanced opportunities for research in new simulation
technologies and methods. The VHA SimLEARN National Center serves as the operational hub for coordination
of national VHA clinical simulation activities.
Medical City is anchored by:
• VA Medical Center
• University of Central Florida Health Sciences Campus
• Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
• Nemours Children’s Hospital
• University of Florida Academic & Research Center
• MD Anderson Orlando Cancer Research Institute