WV STEPS earns dual accreditation for excellence in human simulation education
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The WV STEPS David and JoAnn Shaw Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety Center at West Virginia University has received dual accreditation from two of the most respected organizations in the field of simulation-based healthcare education.
The WV STEPS Center has earned full accreditation in Human Simulation from the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE).
The recognition is part of ASPE’s inaugural accreditation cycle, launched in June 2024. The cycle began in fall 2024 and concluded in spring 2025, drawing applications from standardized patient programs across North America and abroad. Of those, 18 programs earned full accreditation and one received provisional status.
The WV STEPS Center was recognized for its strong commitment to ASPE’s Standards of Best Practice in the design, delivery and evaluation of standardized patient-based education.
Standardized patients (SPs) are individuals trained to accurately and consistently portray real patients in clinical scenarios. They simulate symptoms, histories and emotional responses to help learners develop communication and diagnostic skills in a safe, controlled environment. SPs are commonly used in high-stakes assessments such as Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and may also provide feedback on student performance. This method ensures fair, realistic and standardized training for all learners.
ASPE accreditation affirms the program’s leadership in providing high-quality, learner-centered simulation that fosters communication, professionalism and clinical competency.
In addition, the Center has received full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) in five areas: Assessment, Research, Teaching/Education, Systems Integration and Human Simulation. This SSH accreditation is effective through December 31, 2029, and highlights the Center’s excellence in interprofessional learning, curricular integration and continuous program improvement.
“These accreditations represent the highest standards in simulation education and reflect the innovation, rigor and compassion our team brings to every learning experience,” said Dorian Williams MD, FAAFP, CHSE, medical director of the WV STEPS Center. “I’m incredibly proud of the work led by Ryan Wamsley and Lee Ann Miller in building a nationally recognized standardized patient program that models the future of healthcare education.”
With more than 20,000 square feet of dedicated learning space and simulation technology, the WV STEPS Center serves as a regional hub for high-impact, hands-on healthcare training across disciplines. The Center supports learners at all levels with a focus on patient safety, communication and clinical skill development.
For more information about the WV STEPS Center, visit https://steps.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
MEDIA CONTACT: Christie Matyola
Senior Communications Specialist
WVU Health Sciences
732-966-2107; christie.matyola@hsc.wvu.edu