Rutgers School of Pharmacy’s Les Barta Achieves Rare International Distinction in Healthcare Simulation

The Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP) is proud to announce that Les Barta, a veteran paramedic of 25 years and Director, Simulation Technology Program, at the School of Pharmacy, has earned the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator – Advanced® (CHSE-A®) credential.

This certification marks a significant milestone for Rutgers Health. The CHSE-A® is a distinction held by a remarkably small group of professionals globally. Currently, only about 130 individuals worldwide have achieved this advanced, portfolio-based certification, which recognizes those who have demonstrated elite leadership, mentorship, and a deep mastery of simulation pedagogy.

The “Edge” of Healthcare Education

Barta’s achievement exemplifies The Edge at Rutgers—the university’s commitment to staying at the forefront of discovery and excellence. By bridging the gap between clinical expertise and cutting-edge educational theory, this certification propels Rutgers Health into a new era of instructional design. It ensures that the university remains a leader in preparing a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also resilient and adaptable.

Defining the SCARLET Initiative

Central to this advancement is SCARLET (Simulation Collaboratory Advancing Research, Learning, Education & Technology). As a strategic framework, SCARLET serves as the engine for innovation across the curriculum. By integrating Barta’s advanced certification standards into the SCARLET collaboratory, Rutgers is able to ensure that simulation-based education is evidence-based, interprofessional, and highly effective.

Redefining the Learning Environment through Research

As a Doctoral Candidate, Barta’s work focuses on a critical shift in how we view clinical education. His research explores simulation not merely as a set of exercises, but as a deliberate design of the learning environment that serves to scaffold the professional identity of graduate pharmacy students. By creating these high-fidelity, safe, yet challenging spaces, Barta is helping students navigate the complexities of “becoming” a pharmacist in a modern healthcare landscape.

“Earning the CHSE-A® is a commitment to the art and science of the simulationist,” said Barta. “It allows us to propel our work forward, ensuring that our efforts in Interprofessional Education (IPE) and pharmacy-specific training are not just meeting industry standards but setting them. We are designing environments that intentionally shape our students who become professionals.”

Elevating Rutgers Health

By achieving this rare designation, Barta elevates the simulation work performed across the Rutgers School of Pharmacy and the broader Rutgers Health community. His dual background as a seasoned paramedic and a simulationist allows him to bridge the gap between frontline clinical reality and advanced educational theory, ensuring Rutgers remains the “Edge” of healthcare innovation and patient safety.