Building Better Clinical Training Tools
A Smarter Way to Teach Abdominal Examination
AbSim represents the first and only, evidence-based, competency-oriented approach to assessing patients presenting with abdominal complaints, the most common patient complaint in ambulatory care.
AbSim was designed by Dr Frank Papa, a board-certified emergency medicine physician with a PhD in Higher Education (computer-based education and cognitive (AI) systems). Dr Papa has published and presented over 200 evidence-based works describing the role of computer assisted instructional and assessment activities designed to enhance the cognitive factors enabling the development of clinical competencies. Dr Papa's research has been recognized by organizations such as the AAMC, AACOM, the Decision Sciences Institute and ACEP.
Today, ACDET is led by Dr. Papa and Nik Papa, continuing the company's mission of improving healthcare education through innovative simulation technology.
About AbSim
Our Mission
About Dr. Frank Papa
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Frank Papa
CEO + Founder
Dr. Frank Papa is a Fort Worth native, physician, researcher, educator, and patented inventor with more than four decades of experience in medical education. He served on the faculty of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center beginning in 1979 and retired in 2024 as Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Papa earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of North Texas. Throughout his career, his work has focused on improving how health professions students develop clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills through education, technology, and simulation.
He is the developer of AbSim and KBIT, an artificial intelligence-based diagnostic learning tool, and his work has received recognition and support from organizations including the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, the Decision Sciences Institute, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. He has also participated in three Harvard Macy Institute fellowships.
Nik Papa, M.S.
Manufacturing & Design
Nicolas Papa is a Fort Worth native whose background spans environmental science, community and regional planning, fabrication, and technology. He holds a Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning from The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from TCU’s School of Geology, Energy, and the Environment.
A patented inventor of medical educational equipment and experienced machinist, Nicolas brings a hands-on approach to developing practical solutions. He also holds an FAA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle license as a Quadcopter Pilot in Command.
His work has explored how physical resources, technology, and shared infrastructure can be organized more efficiently and sustainably. At ACDET, Nicolas brings that same systems-thinking approach to AbSim, helping connect product development, technology, and real-world problem solving as the platform continues to evolve.
Steve Fogoros
Director of Product Development
Steve Fogoros brings decades of experience in simulation technology, information systems, and product engineering to ACDET. His early career included work with Singer Link, Rediffusion Simulation, Simuflight, and the U.S. Air Force, where he supported the installation and maintenance of aviation simulation systems with a specialization in visual computer-generated imagery systems.
Steve later worked at the University of North Texas Health Science Center — Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Academic Information Technology. There, he developed and managed technology infrastructure supporting test administration, scoring, analysis, reporting, course and instructor evaluations, and the web and database systems behind those programs.
As a longtime ACDET collaborator, Steve has supported both the KBIT and AbSim product lines. Today, he provides lead engineering and product development support for AbSim, with expertise in the microcontroller firmware, pneumatic systems, and mechanical components that power the simulator.