Past Events

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In 1998, guided by Dean Joan Shaver, leaders within the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing convened the inaugural Power of Nursing Leadership event to celebrate exceptional nurse leaders in Illinois and the many sectors in which they practice.

Inspired by the leadership of UIC Nursing alumni, the primary goals were to gather influential and emerging nurse leaders in Illinois and spotlight their collective influence and dedication–all while fostering connections, collaborations and community.

The event has grown exponentially and is now the premier gathering of Illinois’ most innovative nurse leaders, as well as leaders from other health professions, health systems, academia, government, industry and the community.

Historical Timeline Heading link

26th Annual-November 3, 2023

Featured Speaker

Anna Quindlen
Bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and social critic

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Beena Peters, DNP, FACHE, FABC
Chief Nursing Executive
Cool County Health System

SAGE Award

Fred Brown, DNP, RN, CENO
Assistant Professor
Rush University College of Nursing

Karen Saban, PhD, RN
Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Innovation
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

Advancing Health Equity Award

Regina Conway-Phillips, PhD, RN
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

Wrenetha Julion, PhD, MS, MPH, RN, CNL, FAAN
Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion and the Michelle & Larry Goodman Endowed Professor of Health Equity
RUSH University

Early Career Leader Award

Megan Byrne, BSN, CRRN
Clinical Shift Coordinator
Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital

Katarzyna Golda, MS ’22, BSN ’16, RN, MEDSURG-BC
Administrative Nurse
UI Health

25th Annual-November 4, 2022

Featured Speaker

Shannon N. Zenk, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN
Director, National Institute of Nursing Research

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Susan Swart, EdD, MS ’05, RN, CAE
Executive Director
ANA-Illinois

SAGE Award

Susan Corbridge, PhD ’09, APRN, FAANP, FAAN
Chief Essentials Program Officer
American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Janice Phillips, PhD ’93, RN, CENP, FAAN
Director of Nursing Research and Health Equity
RUSH University Medical Center

 

24th Annual-November 5, 2021

Featured Speaker

Rear Admiral Susan M. Orsega, MSN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
U.S. Public Health Service Director of Commissioned Corps Headquarters, Office of the Surgeon General

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Kathleen R. Delaney, PhD, APRN, PMH-NO, FAAN
Professor
Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing
Rush University College Of Nursing

SAGE Award

Deena A. Nardi, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Psychotherapist
Cathedral Counseling Center

Lee A. Schmidt, PhD, RN
Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Assistant Dean, PhD Nursing Program
Associate Professor
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing


23rd Annual-November 13, 2020

Featured Speaker

Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN
President
American Nurses Association

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Vicki A. Keough, PhD, ACNP, FAAN
Dean and Professor Emerita
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

SAGE Award

Kathleen Pavkov, MN, RN
Associate Nurse Executive, Ambulatory Services
Cook County Health

Charles Yingling, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Dean for Practice and Community Partnerships and Clinical Associate Professor
University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing


22nd Annual-November 8, 2019

Featured Speaker

Susan Dentzer
Visiting Fellow
Robert J. Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University
Nursing Leadership for Disruptive Times

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Julie L. Creamer, MS, RN
President, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Senior Vice President, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

SAGE Award

Lynne T. Braun, PhD, CNP, FAHA, FPCNA, FNLA, FAANP, FAAN
Professor
Rush University Colleges of Nursing and Medicine

Susan A. Clark
President and Lobbyist
Capitol Edge Consulting, LLC


21st Annual-November 30, 2018

Featured Speaker

Suzet McKinney, DrPH, MPH
CEO/Executive Director
Illinois Medical District
Nursing in a Tumultuous World: How Nurses Anchor a Community in Unpredictable Times

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Gloria A. Jacobson, PhD, RN
Professor and Chair, Department of Health Promotion
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

SAGE Award

Paul Langlois, PhD, APRN, CCRN, CCNS
Master Educator
Cook County Health and Hospitals System

Gail J. Mulrooney, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Diretor of Nursing Services
Advocate Aurora Health Christ Medical Center


20th Annual-November 10, 2017

Featured Speaker

Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, MPH, MSN, RN, FAAN
Vice President, Nursing & Chief Nursing Officer
Professor, Medicine
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Calling the Circle: Engaging All Nurses to Improve Health and Healthcare

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award

Ann Scott Blouin, PhD, RN, FACHE
Executive Vice President, Customer Relations
The Joint Commission

SAGE Award

Cinthia M. La Porte, MSL, BSN, RN
Manager Pediatrics, Pediatric Critical Care and Child Life
Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center

Rosanna Trahey, MBA, BSN, RNC-NIC
Manager of Clinical Operations,  Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Advocate Children’s Hospital – Oak Lawn

19th Annual-November 4, 2016

Featured Speaker
Rosemary Gibson, MSc
Senior Advisor
The Hastings Center
The Power in You to Make a Difference

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Margaret Faut Callahan, PhD, CRNA, FNAP, FAAN
Provost, Health Sciences Division
Loyola University Chicago

SAGE Award
Linda Witek Janusek, PhD, RN, FAAN
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Endowed Chair for Research and Professor
Loyola University Chicago Niehoff School of Nursing

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

18th Annual-November 6, 2015

Featured Speaker
Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN
Director, Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership (2000-2012)
President, American Academy of Nursing (2011-2013)
The Power of the Nursing Lens

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Susan M. Swider, PhD, APHN-BC, FAAN
Professor
Rush University College of Nursing

SAGE Award
Carol J. Farran, DNSc, RN, FAAN
Professor and The Nurses Alumni Association Chair in Health and the Aging Process
Rush University College of Nursing

Jacqueline J. Medland, PhD, RN
Regional Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive
Presence St. Joseph Medical Center and Present St. Mary’s Hospital

17th Annual-November 6, 2014

Featured Speaker
Angela Barron McBride, PhD, RN, FAAN
Distinguished Professor and University Dean Emerita
Indiana University School of Nursing
21st Century Nursing: The Demand for Leadership

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Michelle Janney, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Senior Vice President and Wood-Prince Family Chief Nurse Executive
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

SAGE Award
Elaine Graf, PhD, RN, NE-BC
Research and Funding Coordinator
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Mariann Piano, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Department Head and Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

16th Annual-November 15, 2013

Featured Speaker
Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN
Marian S. Ware Professor in Gerontology; Director, NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Evidence to Impact – Tackling Care Coordination

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Bernadette Speiser, MSN, CCRN
Nurse Manager, Cardiology Department, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center;
National Cardiology Nurse Consultant, Department of Veteran Affairs

SAGE Award
Jonathan Woods, BSN, RN, NE-BC
Inpatient Children’s Services Manager, Carle Hospital

(Co-winners)
Barbara Berger, PhD, RN, ACRN
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

Catherine Vincent, PhD, RN
Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

15th Annual-November 2, 2012

Featured Speaker
Beverly Malone, RN, PhD, FAAN
CEO, National League for Nursing
Leadership: The Power to Care

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Judith Lloyd Storfjell, PhD, RN, FAAN

Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

SAGE Award
Judi Jennrich, RN, PhD, ACNP
Associate Professor, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

Arlene Michaels Miller, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor and Chair, Community, Systems, and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing

14th Annual- November 4, 2011

Featured Speaker
David Satcher, MD, PhD
Former U.S. Surgeon General
New Challenges and Opportunities for Nursing in the 21st Century

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Diana Hackbarth, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professor & Program Director, Loyola University Chicago Niehoff School of Nursing

SAGE Award
Lynda K. Slimmer, PhD, RN, MSN
Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Department Head, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

Wendy Tuzik Micek, PhD, RN
Market Director of Nursing Science and Magnet, Advocate Christ Medical Center/Hope Children’s Hospital

13th Annual – November 19, 2010

Featured Speaker
Ted Kennedy, Jr.
Healthcare Attorney
Healthcare Reform in the Context of Chronic Illness

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Paula A. Hindle, MSN, MBA, RN
VP of Healthcare Services & Chief Nurse Executive, Loyola University Health System

SAGE Award
Maria A. Connolly, PhD, CNE, APN/CNS, FCCM, ANEF
Professor & Director of Research and Grantsmanship, University of St. Francis College of Nursing

Ruth M. Kleinpell, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCCM
Professor, Rush University College of Nursing
Director, Center for Clinical Research and Scholarship, Rush University Medical Center

12th Annual – October 23, 2009

Featured Speaker
Tray Dunaway, MD, FACS, CHCO
Dotsultant
Connecting the Dots of Healthcare

Honorary Chair
Jan Schakowsky
U.S. Representative for Illinois – 9th District

Joan L. Shaver Illinois Outstanding Nurse Leader Award
Beverly J. McElmurry, EdD, RN, FAAN
Professor & Associate Dean, Global Health Leadership, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

11th Annual – October 24, 2008

Featured Speaker
John Edward Hasse, PhD
Curator of American Music, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History
Leadership Lessons from the Jazz Masters

Honorary Chairs
Ray McCaskey
CEO, Health Care Service Corporation

Patricia Hemingway Hall
President & COO, Health Care Service Corporation

Illinois Nurse Leader Award Winner
Sheila A. Haas, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor & Former Dean, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

10th Annual – October 26, 2007

Featured Speaker
Meagan Johnson
Motivational Speaker
ZAP THE GAP – Solving the Multi-Generational Puzzle

Honorary Chairs
Dick Durbin
United States Senator from Illinois

Ann Lurie
President, Lurie Investments
President, The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Family Foundation

Illinois Nurse Leader Award Winner
Marjorie Beyers, PhD, FN, FAAN
Retired Executive Director, American Organization of Nurse Executives

9th Annual – October 27, 2006

Featured Speaker
Lowell Catlett PhD
Regent’s Professor, New Mexico State University
Healthcare’s New Horizons

Honorary Chair
The Honorable Lynn Martin
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor

Ilinois Nurse Leader Winner
Kathryn Christiansen, BSN, MA, DNSc, FAAN
Regional Director for Patient Care, Rush Oak Park Hospital

SAGE Award Winners
Bernadette Biskup, MS, BS
COO, University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago

Margaret E. Faut-Callahan, PhD
Professor & Department.Chair, Adult Health Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing

Meg Gulanick, PhD, APRN, FAAN, FAHA
Professor, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

Leanne Hullett, RN
Dean, Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Laurie Quinn, PhD, MS, BSN, RN
Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

8th Annual – October 28, 2005

Featured Speaker
Yolanda King
Lecturer & daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Excellence through Diversity

Honorary Chair
Theresa Gutierrez
News Reporter, Channel 7- ABC Chicago

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Cynthia Barnes-Boyd PhD, FAAN
Assistant Dean of Community Health & Director UIC Great Cities Neighborhoods Initiative,
University of Illinois at Chicago

SAGE Award Winners
Kathleen Gainor Andreoli, DSN, RN, FAAN
Rush University College of Nursing

Margaret Beaman, PhD, RN
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Carol Dittambl
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

Marjorie Maurer, RN, MSN, NEA-BC
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital

Margaret (Peg) Stafford, MSN, RN, FAAN
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

7th Annual – October 22, 2004

Featured Speaker
Linda Ellerbee
Journalist
The Nurses That Shape Health Care

Honorary Chair
Barack Obama
Illinois State Senator & Democratic Candidate for the United States Senate

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Laura Leigh Ferrio, RN, MSN, MBS, CRRN
VP of Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Executive, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

SAGE Award Winners
Ginger Barthel, RN FACHE
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Ann Minnick, PhD, RN
Rush University College of Nursing

Sandra W. Reifsteck, MS, RN, CNAA
Carle Clinic, Champaign

6th Annual – October 17, 2003

Featured Speaker
Bernie Siegel, MD
Motivational Speaker
Spotlight on Healers

Honorary Chairs
Danny K. Davis
U.S. Representative for Illinois – 7th District

Deanna Lites
Health Reporter
Channel 5 – NBC Chicago

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Darcie Brazel, RN, MS
VP of Operations & Chief Nursing Executive
Advocate Christ Medical Center

SAGE Award Winners
Dr. Roberta Fruth, RN, MS, PhD, FAAN
Consultant

Gloria Henderson, MSN, RN
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

Donna King, BSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC, FACHE
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

Susan Nick, PhD, RN
Weiss Memorial Hospital

Diane Dudas Sheehan, CNP
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Mary Uscian, RN, MS
Tri-County Community Health Center
Northern Illinois University School of Nursing

5th Annual – October 11, 2002

Featured Speaker
Maya Angelou
Poet, Author, Actor, Educator, Playwright, Activist, Producer
Powering Our Spirit

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Mary Ann McDermott, RN, MSN, EdD, FAAN
Professor, Department of Health Promotion, Primary Care, Health Systems, and Dietetics
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

SAGE Award Winners
Christine Budzinsky
St. Alexius Medical Center

Karyn Holm, PhD., RN., FAA
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

Mary Reed, MS, BSN, RN, CPHA
Mercer County Health Department

4th Annual – October 19, 2001

Featured Speaker
Gail R. Wilensky, PhD
Senior Fellow, Project HOPE
Taking the Lead: Policy, Politics and Healthcare

Honorary Chair
Margaret Corbett Daley
First Lady of Chicago

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Kathy Reno, MBA, BSN, RN
Executive VP & COO, Northwest Community Healthcare

SAGE Award Winners
Anne Zimmerman, RN
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

Jane Llewellyn, RN, DNSc
Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center

Felissa Lashley, RN
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

3rd Annual – October 22, 2000

Featured Speaker
Stuart H. Altman, PhD
Economist & Health Policy Expert, Brandeis University
Advancing Health Care: Trends Beyond Tomorrow

Honorary Chairs
Corinne Wood
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

Eric Crowell
President & CEO, Trinity Regional Health System

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Cheryl Crowley Shraeder RN, PhD, FAAN
Head of Outcomes/Performance, Carle Coordinated Care Services

SAGE Award Winners
Julia Lane, PhD, RN
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

Laverne Knight Hansen
Cook County Hospital

Virginia Ohlson, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing

2nd Annual – October 15, 1999

Featured Speakers
Martin J. Hatlie and Constance M. Crowley Ganser
Reducing Health Care Risk: Innovating Failsafe Systems

Honorary Chairs
John Edward Porter
U.S. Congressman for Illinois – 10th District

Richard Risk
President & CEO, Advocate Health Care

Carmen Velasquez
Executive Director, Alivio Medical Center

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Judith Hicks, RN, MSN
President, CM Healthcare Resources

Nursing Innovators Award Winners
Bonnie Leinart, MSN, RN
Trinity Regional Health System

Margaret Faut-Callahan, DNSc, CRNA, FAAN
Rush University College of Nursing

Kathleen Simon, RN
Unicom Corporation

Jean Lytle, PhD
Deicke Center for Nursing Education, Elmhurst College

Inaugural Power of Nursing Leadership Event – November 17, 1998

Featured Speaker
Susan D. Horn, PhD
Institute for Clinical Outcomes Research
Seeking Optimal Healthcare Value; The Power of Outcomes Research

Honorary Chairs
Kathleen Murray
Executive VP & CEO, Northwestern Memorial Corporation

Mary Lou Kearns
Kane County Coroner & Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

Illinois Nurse Leader Winner
Sister Sheila Lyne, RSM
Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health