AONL 2026

Dr. Christine "Christy" Heid is a dedicated nurse educator, innovator, and simulationist with over two decades of experience. She holds a PhD in Nursing and has made significant contributions to nursing education, particularly in simulation-based learning and clinical judgment development. Dr. Heid is the creator of the Heid ATE Guide for Clinical Teaching and Learning©, an innovative tool designed to build nurses' clinical judgment skills. She is the former Chair of the INACSL Education Committee, a member of the OADN Simulation Committee, and a contributor to the Cornerstones of Best Practice, which explores the application of the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™. Her work focuses on promoting innovative teaching strategies, simulation-based competency evaluation, and fostering deep learning across academic and practice settings to improve healthcare and educational outcomes.

Gauthier is an entrepreneur and accomplished sales executive with a proven track record of leadership in management roles across China, Europe, and North America. With over a decade of experience in virtual reality and seven years specifically dedicated to healthcare simulation, Gauthier is a seasoned professional in the dynamic intersection of technology and healthcare. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found UbiSim in 2017, a groundbreaking immersive VR training platform tailored for nursing education. UbiSim quickly rose as a leading force in the field of immersive VR in nursing education and was acquired by Labster in September 2021. In the midst of UbiSim's significant expansion, Gauthier has taken on the role of UbiSim Business Lead at Labster, actively enabling and supporting the team during this period of tremendous growth.