Dr. Jayne Smitten

Dr. Jayne Smitten, PhD, MEd, CHSE-A, FSSH, currently serves as Public Health Chair/Professor at Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU). She is also considered an esteemed simulationist who has worked internationally with simulation luminaries to convene and share insights and research on healthcare education simulation-based development and practices. As an internationally recognized leader and fellow in healthcare simulation experiential education and the 2024 Past President for the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (https://www.ssih.org/About-SSH), she has created numerous innovative simulation events and scenarios to provide awareness, assessment, and advocacy for a diversity of healthcare and societal challenges, including her interest in the sensitive human/sex-trafficking. 

Notably, Dr. Smitten has illuminated the nuances of simulation debriefing mastery and expertly moderated panel and roundtable sessions on simulation-based experiential education controversial or unique themes.

Dr. Smitten has served in various academic leadership roles, embracing innovative health discipline teaching and learning experiences for five universities on her career journey [within Canada (3), Middle East (Doha, Qatar) and USA (Hawaii)]. Jayne has also served in many leadership roles in the nursing profession, taught human sexuality with interprofessional specialists for many years, and was honored to be chosen as one of the top 100 Alberta Nurses for the Centennial Nursing Award (selected from over 37,000 Registered Nurses in Alberta, Canada).

In her free time, Jayne enjoys her ocean times outrigger canoe paddling with Hui Pakolea in Kailua, connecting with the community, enjoying all sorts of music, and spending time with family and friends.