Host Committee

The Host Committee provides vital support to the Power of Nursing Leadership event. The UIC College of Nursing is grateful to each member for their leadership and advisement in continuing to create the premier nursing celebration, as well as their thoughtful consideration in selecting nurse leaders who best represent each award.

Mohammed Abu Realh, MSN, RN
Associate Nurse Executive, Hospital Based Services
Cook County Health

Maryann Alexander, PhD, RN, FAAN
Chief Officer, Nursing Regulation
National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Susan J. Corbridge, PhD, APRN, FAANP, FAAN (Chairperson)
Executive Associate Dean and Clinical Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

Laura Ferrio, MBA, MSN, RN, CRRN, NEA-BC
Chief Advancement Officer and President, Keystone Board
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN
Dean and Professor
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

Ann M. Gantzer, PhD, RN
Vice President, Health and Patient Services,  Chief Nursing Officer
Swedish American Hospital

Diana Halfer, MSN, RNc, NEA-BC
Senior Director
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago®

Mary M. Keegan, MS, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
NorthShore University HealthSystem

Emily Lowder, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FACHE
Vice President, Comer Children’s Hospital
The University of Chicago Medicine

Ann Lundy, MBA, BSN, RN
Chief Operating Officer
Access Community Health Network

Shelly Major, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Chief Nursing Officer
UI Health

Melissa Murphey, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Dean Graduate Nursing Programs and Assistant Professor
Resurrection University

Angelique L. Richard, PhD, RN, CENP
Chief Nursing Executive, The Rush System; Vice President, Clinical Nursing & Chief Nursing Officer – Rush University Medical Center; Associate Dean for Practice
RUSH System for Health

Marianne Schmitt, MS, RN
Assistant Professor
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Brenda Schmitz, MS, RN, CRN
Associate Chief Nurse Executive
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Susan Y. Swart, EdD, RN, CAE
Executive Director
ANA-Illinois  

JoEllen Wilbur, PhD, APN, FAAN
Professor and Independence Foundation Chair in Nursing, and Associate Dean for Nursing Research
Rush University College of Nursing

Katie Corboy, MFA, PMP (Ex-Officio)
Director of Special Events
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

Steven Anthony George (Ex-Officio)
Assistant Dean for Advancement
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing