VRSim joins Quinnipiac University to drive regional AI training

To advance the effective adoption of AI technologies in healthcare careers, Quinnipiac Lifelong Learning Program Director Nathaniel Johnson and Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education (CIHE) Director Julie Booth will work with industry partner VRSim and clinical partners to develop a noncredit, simulation-based micro-credential in AI-augmented clinical communication and coaching. VRSim is a leading provider of virtual reality training solutions for skilled trades.
“Our team looks forward to partnering with the Business-Higher Education Forum, the New England Board of Higher Education, our business partner, VRSim, and clinical care partners, Griffin Health, Connecticut Children’s, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, and Hartford HealthCare to launch a program focused on developing and implementing an AI-enabled workforce micro-credential,” Johnson said.

Powering an AI-enabled healthcare workforce

Launching in Spring 2027 as a live online course for Quinnipiac students and healthcare professionals, the innovative 7-week micro-credential in AI-augmented clinical communication and coaching will build AI fluency using VRSim’s training technology and conversational interfaces. 

Through clinical simulations, faculty-led sessions, and immediate AI-coach feedback, the live, synchronous course will guide participants as they learn to analyze AI output and responsibly leverage the technology to improve patient care. 

Johnson said the program is being designed to meet the moment by strengthening healthcare communication, human-centered professional skills, and AI literacy across clinical roles within a range of healthcare settings.

“We know that several providers are or will soon be implementing AI assisted medical documentation, electronic health records, and coaching systems,” Johnson said. “This program will give us a tremendous opportunity to partner with VRSim to provide highly customized and low-stakes coaching simulations to help clinicians with interpersonal interactions with a variety of different patient profiles and improve their readiness to provide high-quality responsiveness to the need of real human patients.”

Booth noted the unique co-learning environment gives Quinnipiac students the opportunity to learn alongside practicing healthcare professionals in an interprofessional setting, mirroring the CIHE’s commitment to collaborative learning. 

“Through VRSim simulations, real-time AI coaching, and clinical scenarios, students will strengthen their clinical communication skills, develop practical AI fluency, and build confidence working as part of healthcare teams while gaining exposure to real-world clinical perspectives and decision-making,” said Booth. 

The program also builds on the Connecticut TTA 3.0 pilot phase grant awarded to Quinnipiac Lifelong Learning in February 2026, said Johnson. The $25,409 pilot grant supported a new online upskilling program, “AI for Business Innovation in Healthcare,” launched in May 2026. 

“That brought in a number of industry partners and made 80 training seats available to professionals working in large and small healthcare industry representatives in our region,” Johnson said. “Many of these professionals work in administrative roles, and we were determined to develop a follow-on program that focused on more clinical roles and on enabling better patient interactions with AI assistance for some of the same organizations who have invested with us as partners.”

Combined with many productive, standing partnerships, grant opportunities such as TTA 3.0 provide Quinnipiac Lifelong Learning with the ability to quickly develop and field immersive training that directly responds to industry needs, Johnson said.

“We look forward to working with our partners to develop and deliver this program and are excited to continue to develop and improve the readiness of Connecticut’s workforce to meet the needs of their changing environments,” Johnson said.

Learn more at https://lifelonglearning.qu.edu/