Using simulations to prepare healthcare leaders for an environmentally sustainable future

Author's Biography

Andrew N. Garman , PsyD, MS, is Professor of Health Systems Management at Rush University in Chicago, IL, USA, and Senior Adviser for Leadership Development with the International Hospital Federation’s Geneva Sustainability Centre in Geneva, CH. As an educator, he regularly facilitates programmes for healthcare executives on a variety of leadership, organisational change, environmental sustainability and foresight topics. He has contributed to over one hundred research articles, book chapters, major reports and books and currently serves as Associate Editor for planetary health leadership for BMJ Leader. Andrew received his BS in psychology/mathematics emphasis from Penn State, his MS in personnel and human resource development from the Illinois Institute of Technology and his PsyD in clinical psychology from the College of William & Mary.

Carmen Menéndez Calzada joined the Geneva Sustainability Centre in 2022. Recognising the vital link between addressing the climate crisis and improving health outcomes, she has been instrumental in advancing various initiatives, notably contributing to the development of the Carbon Emissions Learning Lab and the Sustainability Accelerator Tool and supporting IHF Members on their sustainability journey, including delivering masterclasses for Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá in Colombia. Transitioning from over five years of work in Mexico’s civil society sector and collaborating as a consultant with USAID to enhance transparency and accountability in the public sector, Carmen shifted her focus to her areas of passion: environment and health. With a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and a master’s degree in development studies from the Geneva Graduate Institute, Carmen’s specialisation in environment, sustainability and global health underscores her dedication to fostering positive change within these crucial areas.

Aoife Kirk Dr. Aoife Kirk, MBBchBAO, MRCPI, MPH, is a medical doctor who relocated following medical training to continue working within the climate health sector with Geneva Sustainability Centre on Learning Programmes for hospital CEOs and hospital management. She is currently Clean Air Lead at the World Economic Forum in alliance with the Clean Air Fund, working with stakeholders to address the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.

Tim Rogmans , PhD, is Managing Director of Sim Institute, a company specialised in the development and distribution of simulations for learning and decision making. He has developed award-winning simulations in the fields of sustainability, management and economics and partnered with the International Hospital Federation on the development of the Carbon Emissions Learning Lab (CELL). Tim was previously an associate professor and director of executive education at the College of Business at Zayed University, director at Atradius Credit Insurance and a strategy consultant with Gemini Consulting and LEK Consulting. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the London School of Economics, an MBA from INSEAD and a PhD from Nyenrode University.

Sonia Roschnik is the Executive Director of the Geneva Sustainability Centre for the International Hospital Federation. The Centre supports hospital and healthcare leaders worldwide to integrate sustainability into every aspect of their work. Sonia was the International Climate Policy Director for Health Care Without Harm, where she worked on a number of collaborative initiatives, including the Global Roadmap for Healthcare Decarbonisation, Race to Zero and the COP26 health leadership initiatives. Previously, she served as the Director of the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. During her tenure leading the SDU, the Greener NHS programme was launched, including a commitment to net zero climate emissions, positioning the NHS as the first national health system in the world to do so. Sonia trained as an occupational therapist, did a master’s degree in systems thinking and is a member of the Faculty of Public Health in the UK.