Aaron Calhoun awarded 2026 PediSTARS Excellence Award

Pediatric Critical Care division chief recognized for his global contributions to healthcare simulation

Aaron Calhoun, professor of pediatrics, was awarded the PediSTARS Excellence Award from the Pediatric Simulation Training and Research Society of India (PediSTARS India). The largest pediatric simulation organization in India selected Calhoun for his remarkable impact on advancing simulation-based learning worldwide, developing medical education infrastructure and improving pediatric outcomes. Calhoun traveled to Bengaluru, India to receive the award at the annual Vydehi Advanced Simulation Academy SIMULUS 11 Conference.

PediSTARS India is a pioneering organization founded in 2013 to promote the integration of simulation-based learning in pediatric healthcare and medical education. It has been instrumental in building a strong national network of clinicians, education and simulation experts committed to improving healthcare training and patient safety. 

Calhoun is a globally recognized leader in pediatric simulation. In addition to serving as the UofL School of Medicine Pediatric Critical Care division chief and senior advisor for the SPARC simulation program at Norton Children’s Hospital, he is a founding board member of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the 2026 President of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare where he leads the more than 5,400 members from nearly 70 countries.