One of the greatest challenges facing healthcare organizations today is preparing professionals for conversations that cannot be learned from a textbook alone. Whether supporting families through organ donation decisions, navigating complex clinical discussions, or building trust during emotionally charged interactions, confidence comes from practice.
That belief has guided the development of DeGarmo's Virtual Simulation Platform, a new AI-powered learning experience designed to help healthcare professionals strengthen communication skills through realistic, interactive conversation practice. Following a successful national pilot involving eight Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), we are excited to introduce the platform as we prepare for its commercial launch.
Traditional training methods remain important, but opportunities for consistent, realistic practice can be difficult to scale. DeGarmo's Virtual Simulation Platform was created to address this challenge by providing learners with on-demand access to authentic conversational experiences that mirror real-world situations.
During our upcoming webinar, attendees will get an inside look at the technology, behavioral science, and communication research that shaped the platform's development. Participants will also learn how organizations are using conversational AI simulations to supplement coaching, onboarding, and professional development efforts while creating a more consistent learning experience across teams.
One of the most exciting features of the platform is its growing simulation library. At launch, organizations will have access to approximately 25 professionally developed use cases designed around common challenges encountered by donation and healthcare professionals.
The initial library includes simulations focused on:
- Registered and non-registered donor conversations
- Brain death and Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) cases
- Adult and pediatric donor scenarios
- Trust-building and rapport development
- Objection handling and authorization rescission discussions
- Emotionally complex family conversations
- Clinical collaboration with physicians, nurses, charge nurses, and other healthcare professionals
Each simulation is designed to provide realistic practice opportunities while allowing learners to build confidence, receive feedback, and refine their communication approach in a safe learning environment.
While the platform's pilot program focused heavily on donation-related conversations, the broader vision extends well beyond a single learning application.
Organizations are exploring how conversational simulations can support new employee onboarding, ongoing coaching, competency development, leadership growth, hospital development initiatives, tissue authorization programs, and other roles where communication skills have a direct impact on outcomes.
Because simulations are available on demand, organizations can provide consistent learning experiences regardless of geographic location, staffing schedules, or facilitator availability. This flexibility allows professionals to practice whenever it best fits their workflow while still receiving a structured and meaningful learning experience.
The webinar will also provide a preview of our simulation development roadmap, implementation options, and opportunities for custom simulation development. We will discuss how organizations can adapt the platform to address their unique training needs and create scenarios that reflect their specific challenges and objectives.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform professional learning, we believe experiential practice will play an increasingly important role in developing confident, effective communicators. By combining behavioral science, communication research, and conversational AI, DeGarmo's Virtual Simulation Platform offers a practical new approach to helping professionals prepare for the conversations that matter most.
Whether your organization is preparing new donation advocates, strengthening hospital partnerships, supporting tissue authorization teams, or developing professionals who regularly navigate high-impact conversations, this webinar will provide a practical look at how AI-powered simulation can accelerate learning and support professional growth.
We look forward to sharing this exciting new platform and exploring how virtual simulation can help organizations build confidence, consistency, and communication excellence across their teams.
