ABOUT US

About Virtual Medical Coaching | VR Simulation for Radiography, Radiation Safety and Midwifery

Virtual Medical Coaching is a New Zealand–based company specialising in VR healthcare simulation for medical imaging and clinical education. We develop virtual reality simulation software for radiography training, radiation safety training, midwifery simulation, and broader clinical skills simulation across universities, teaching hospitals, and healthcare organisations.

Our platforms support medical imaging education and healthcare training by enabling learners to practise clinical workflows, technical procedures, patient positioning, and decision-making within immersive virtual environments. These VR simulations are used for structured radiography training, radiation safety education, and childbirth and midwifery preparation, supporting formal teaching, assessment, and self-directed learning without patient risk.

Virtual Medical Coaching was founded to address limitations in traditional clinical training, where access to consistent practice opportunities and immediate feedback can vary. Through immersive simulation technology, we deliver repeatable, measurable learning experiences aligned with academic curricula, regulatory requirements, and real clinical practice standards.

Recognition and Awards

Virtual Medical Coaching has received national and international recognition for its work in healthcare education, immersive simulation, and digital learning.

  • NZ International Business Awards

  • Education New Zealand

  • HealthTech

  • Tertiary ICT

  • eLearning Guild

  • Global Health & Pharma

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Virtual Medical Coaching was a finalist for Best Emerging Business at the New Zealand International Business Awards 2022.

The New Zealand International Business Awards, delivered by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, recognise businesses demonstrating excellence in innovation, international growth, and global impact.

This recognition reflects Virtual Medical Coaching’s contribution to healthcare education through immersive simulation technology and its growing international footprint.

 

MEDIA RELEASE
education nz

Virtual Medical Coaching was selected as a recipient of the Product Innovation Fund administered by Education New Zealand. The fund supports the development of new education products and services for international learners.

This funding supported the development of Virtual Medical Coaching’s immersive simulation technology for healthcare education and its international deployment.

Learn more about our work with Education New Zealand
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Virtual Medical Coaching was the recipient of the Callaghan HealthTech Award for Best Scale-Up Company, presented by Callaghan Innovation at HealthTech Week 2022, recognising innovation and growth in healthcare technology.

Tertiary ICT Excellence Awards

In October 2018, Virtual Medical Coaching received the Microsoft Award for Excellence in Technology Delivery and the Supreme Prize at the national Tertiary ICT Conference Awards.

The awards recognised the development and implementation of a world-first virtual reality training platform for tertiary education.

MEDIA RELEASE
the learning guild

At DemoFest 2017, Virtual Medical Coaching received first prize from the Florida eLearning Guild in the Best Blended Learning Solution category, recognising the integration of virtual reality, eLearning, and face-to-face teaching in radiography education.

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Virtual Medical Coaching won the Medical Simulation Innovators of the Year award at the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards in 2021, recognising leadership in immersive simulation for healthcare education.

MEET THE FOUNDER

JAMES HAYES

James Hayes is the Founder of Virtual Medical Coaching and a New Zealand based healthcare educator with experience in clinical practice and tertiary teaching. He is known for developing immersive simulation approaches that improve how healthcare students acquire practical competence before entering clinical environments.

While working as a lecturer, James identified persistent limitations in traditional training, including inconsistent access to clinical exposure, limited opportunities for repetition, and delayed feedback. These constraints informed his focus on simulation as a method for delivering structured, repeatable, and measurable learning experiences without patient risk.

Under his leadership, Virtual Medical Coaching has developed virtual reality simulation platforms used internationally in radiography, radiation safety, and midwifery education. The platforms integrate immersive environments with performance analytics to support reflective learning, skills development, and curriculum aligned assessment.

James’s work has been recognised through national and international awards for innovation in healthcare education and technology delivery, including being named a semi finalist for New Zealand Innovator of the Year in 2026. His ongoing focus is on building educational tools that are clinically grounded, academically rigorous, and practical for real teaching environments.

BOOK A MEETING WITH JAMES

MEET THE TEAM

The team behind Virtual Medical Coaching’s simulation platforms

Ana Almeida

Chief Financial Officer
Co-founder of Virtual Medical Coaching. Oversees financial strategy, governance, and international operations.

Chris Drain

Lead Software Engineer

Leads development of the VR simulation platform and technical architecture.

James Hayes

Chief Executive Officer
 
Co-founder of Virtual Medical Coaching and healthcare education specialist.

Mads Moller

Independent Director
 
Provides independent governance oversight and strategic guidance, supporting long-term growth and international direction.

Manuel Czepok

VR Artist
 
Designs and builds high-fidelity 3D environments and assets used across Virtual Medical Coaching’s simulation platforms.

Norielyn Villanueva

Sales Support Executive 
 

Supports customers and partners with onboarding, licensing coordination, and day-to-day sales operations.

Paul Burston

Software Engineer
 
Contributes to the development and maintenance of simulation systems, focusing on performance, stability, and feature delivery.

Yamin Thazin Oo

Product Owner

 

Coordinates product development by aligning educational requirements, technical priorities, and delivery timelines.

Yulia Norina

Software Test Engineer
 

Ensures platform quality through structured testing, validation, and verification across simulation releases.