ChristianaCare Earns Award for Learning Excellence

Explorance 'Metrics That Matter' recognizes Academic Affairs for outstanding impact

Aaron Boyd, BSN, RN, simulation specialist in the Virtual Education & Simulation Training Center, received the award on behalf of ChristianaCare at an Explorance conference in the summer.

October 22, 2026

ChristianaCare’s Academic Affairs Department earned a bronze award in the Explorance Metrics That Matter Learning Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate organizations demonstrating exceptional achievement in learning measurement, impact and strategic value.

Students in the inaugural cohort of the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program practice airway management with instruction by Carrie Kenney, DNP, CRNA, during a simulation lab session at ChristianaCare’s VEST Center.

The award spotlights the work of ChristianaCare’s Virtual Education and Simulation Training (VEST) Center. The VEST Center is a state-of-the-art simulation center that advances clinical excellence, patient safety and workforce development across the health system. More than 8,000 caregivers annually participate in hands-on training in highly realistic clinical environments that allow them to practice technical and teamwork skills, learn from mistakes and improve performance without placing patients at risk.

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By supporting individual competency and interprofessional collaboration, the VEST Center helps ensure caregivers are prepared to deliver safe, high-quality care. The center holds accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in Teaching/Education, Systems Integration and Assessment and is designated as a Level I Accredited Education Institute by the American College of Surgeons.

Annually, more than 8,000 caregivers participate in hands-on training in the VEST Center.

“We were thrilled to receive the Metrics That Matter Award,” said Susan Coffey, M.D., MSMS, CHSE, director of Simulation. “It demonstrates ChristianaCare’s commitment to simulation education that focuses on improving confidence, teamwork and clinical skills for our learners with the goal of providing safe, high-quality patient care.”

Explorance is a global feedback analytics company focused on teaching effectiveness, employee engagement and learning impact. The awards recognized 23 organizations.

“These award recipients represent the forefront of a transformational shift in learning and development,” said Steve Lange, general manager of Metrics That Matter. “They embody the integration of data-driven insight, strategic influence and measurable impact that the business is asking for.”