Who we are

Our Story 

The Western States Simulation Alliance (WSSA), formerly known as the California Simulation Alliance (CSA), was founded in 2008 as the Bay Area Simulation Alliance (BASC). BASC grew out of the success of HealthImpact (formerly the California Institute for Nursing and Health Care) and was initially funded from 2006 to 2009 by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

From its inception, BASC established a strong foundation of governance, structure, faculty development, scenario design, and research that continues to guide WSSA’s mission today. In 2010, the Community Benefit Division of Kaiser Permanente Southern California funded the replication of BASC in the Los Angeles region, resulting in the formation of the Southern California Simulation Collaborative (SCSC). Since then, the WSSA has expanded to include eight regional collaboratives across California, with plans to grow partnerships across other western states including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and Hawai’i. Together, these collaboratives form a unified network advancing excellence, innovation, and collaboration in simulation-based education and training.

What We Do

The WSSA provides education, consultation, and opportunities to elevate the quality of simulation-based learning across educational and practice environments. Our services include:
 – Faculty and facilitator training through interactive workshops and professional development courses.
 – Curriculum design and mapping aligned with simulation and accreditation standards.
 – Development and evaluation resources for scenarios that promote clinical reasoning, equity, and inclusion.
 – Research and dissemination efforts to advance evidence-based simulation practices.
 – Networking and mentorship among simulation centers, academic programs, clinical institutions, and industry partners.

By sharing tools, expertise, and strategies, we help programs achieve greater consistency, quality, and innovation in simulation education.

Why It Matters

Simulation transforms how healthcare professionals learn, practice, and deliver care. Through WSSA’s regional collaboration, we create a robust framework for standardized, equitable, and quality simulation experiences. Our work ensures that clinicians and interprofessional learners are better prepared to meet real-world challenges, improving patient outcomes, promoting safety, and advancing workforce readiness. By investing in simulation education, we are shaping the future of healthcare excellence across the western states and beyond!