2025 Summit
Our 2025 Summit is coming along, and we are excited to host our partners from across the country. Check out some of the highlights below!
2025 EVENT AGENDA
Wednesday, April 16th
- 5:45pm: Summit Check In begins
- 6:00pm – 8:00pm: Welcome Reception
Thursday, April 17th
- 7:00am – 8:00am: Welcome + Breakfast
- 8:00am – 5:15pm: Presentations, Workshops, Panels, and Lunch
- 6:00pm – 8:00pm: Dinner
Friday, April 18th
- 7:00am – 8:00am: Breakfast
- 8:00am – 11:00am: Presentations and Panels
- 11:00am: Departures
Distinguished Professor/Dean Emerita CU Denver CON
Founder: Watson Caring Science Institute
Dr. Jean Watson is Distinguished Professor and Dean Emerita, University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing Anschutz Medical Center campus, where she held the nation’s first endowed Chair in Caring Science for 16 years. She is founder of the original Center for Human Caring in Colorado and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing; past President of the National League for Nursing; founding member of International Association in Human Caring and International Caritas Consortium. She is Founder and Director of the non-profit foundation, Watson Caring Science Institute (www.watsoncaringscience.org). In 2013 Dr. Watson was inducted as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing, its highest honor.
She is a widely published author and recipient of many national/international awards and honors, including: Life Time Achievement Award, International Sigma Theta Tau; The Fetzer Institute Norman Cousins Award, in recognition of her commitment to developing; maintaining and exemplifying relationshipcentered care practices; an international Kellogg Fellowship in Australia; a Fulbright Research Award in Sweden; The Hildebrand Center for Compassion in Medicine Award Notre Dame University; Academy Integrative Medicine and Healing Award for pioneering work in Caring Science; Japanese International Society of Caring and Peace Chair; Honorary member Global Academy Holistic Nursing. She holds sixteen (16) Honorary Doctoral Degrees, including 13 International Honorary Doctorates (E. G. Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, British Colombia and Quebec, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Peru and Colombia, S. America, Ireland).
Dr. Watson’s caring philosophy and Transpersonal Theory of Human Caring, and Caritas Processes of Caring Science are used to guide transformative models of caring education; and professional caring- healing practices for hospitals, nurses and patients alike, in diverse settings worldwide.
At the University of Colorado, Dr. Watson held the title of Distinguished Professor of Nursing; the highest honor accorded its faculty for scholarly work. As author /co-author of over 30 books on caring, her latest books range from empirical measurements and international research on caring, mindful caring science practices, to new postmodern philosophies of caring and healing, philosophy and science of caring and caring science as sacred science and global advance in caring literacy. Her books have been AJN books of the year awards and seek to bridge paradigms as well as point toward transformative models for this 21st century.
Going Beyond Resilience: Bridging the Academic to Practice Gap
- Moderator: Barbara Halle, DNP, MSN, BSN RN-B, VP of Regulatory Affairs, Arizona College of Nursing
- Panelists: Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, LL (AAN) Founder, Watson Caring Science Institute; Noelle Trinder, DNP, RN, Senior Director of Healthcare Careers, Banner Health, Michelle Altshuler, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE, NPD-BC, Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development, MetroHealth System, Shannon Olson, MSN, RN Dean of Nursing, Arizona College of Nursing; Heather Panek, DNP, MSN-ed, RN, Dean of Nursing, Arizona College of Nursing
- Description: Moderated by VP of Regulatory Affairs, Dr. Barbara Halle. This engaging panel discussion will feature esteemed nurse leaders from both academia and practice, who will share actionable strategies to bridge the gap between these two spheres. Panelists will highlight best practices, address challenges, and discuss opportunities for collaboration. Centered on reducing burnout and fostering a culture of care, this session promises innovative solutions to support the nursing workforce.
Enhancing Workforce Development Through Academic-Practice Partnerships
- Moderator: Jason Dunne, DNP, MBA, MN, RN, CNE, Chief Academic Officer, Arizona College of Nursing
- Panelists: Nicole Hill, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, AVP of Academic Affairs for HCA Continental Division; Darius Love, DNP, RN, CENP, Assistant Vice President Workforce Optimization and Redesign, Orlando Health System; Tricia Watt, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Academic Practice Partnership Nursing Professional Development Specialist, MetroHealth System; Julie Moody, Cincinatti Childrens Hospital
- Description: Moderated by Chief Academic Officer, Jason Dunne, this panel discussion will feature nursing workforce development leaders from our practice partners. Together, they will explore strategies to address workforce challenges by leveraging academic-practice partnerships. Panelists will share innovative approaches, highlight successful collaborations, and discuss opportunities to create a sustainable and adaptable nursing workforce. Attendees will gain actionable insights into strengthening workforce pipelines and preparing the next generation of nurses for evolving healthcare demands.
Innovation in Academic to Practice Partnerships
- Speaker: Amanda Bell DNP, CNS, RN, NEA-BC, Dean of Nursing, Arizona College of Nursing
- Description: Amanda Bell will introduce a groundbreaking clinical model that empowers students to follow patients post-discharge. This innovative approach addresses clinical saturation while reducing health system costs and enhancing student learning. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives on academic-practice collaborations to drive transformative outcomes.
Advancing Health Equity by Fostering Diversity in the Nursing Workforce
- Speaker: Dr. Sheldon Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP-BC, AACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FADLN, FAAN President, National Black Nurses Association
- Description: Dr. Sheldon Fields will explore the critical role of diversity in transforming the nursing workforce and improving patient outcomes. His presentation will challenge attendees to embrace innovative strategies that promote inclusivity and equity across healthcare systems.
Building Bridges: Cultivating the Next Generation of Nurse Leaders
- Speaker: Marie Prothero, PhD, RN, FACHE, Board Member, American Organization for Nursing Leadership
- Description: Marie Prothero will deliver a compelling keynote on the importance of academic-practice collaboration in shaping the future of nursing leadership. Her address will leave attendees inspired with actionable insights to foster partnerships that empower the next generation of nurses.
Empowering Preceptors
- Led by: Judith M Mueller, Market Director of Education, Carondelet Health Network; Rosemary Thuet, MSN, RN-BC, NE-BC Market Director, Learning/Development and Amber Kool, DNP, RN, Associate Provost
- Description: Led by our Associate Provost, Judith Mueller from Carondelet Health Network, and Rosemary Thuet from Valley Health System, this workshop will explore preceptor strategies, tools, and best practices. The session will also examine how academia can enhance preceptor engagement and effectiveness, strengthening the bridge between academic learning and clinical practice.
Operationalizing Dedicated Placements
- Led by: Alyssa Graham, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, RNC-OB, C-EFM , Manager, TriHealth System; Brittany Callahan, MSN, RN, BMTCN, Senior Corporate Education Specialist, TriHealth System; Tamara Poole, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Associate Provost of Experiential Learning
- Description: Led by our Associate Provost of Experiential Learning, Tamara Poole, and practice partners Alyssa Garner and Brittany Callahan from TriHealth Systems, this workshop will showcase successful programs and actionable solutions for implementing dedicated clinical placements. Attendees will explore innovative models and strategies to streamline processes and improve student experiences.
Expanding Clinical Capacities: The Power of Night Clinicals
- Led By: Patti Taylor, MHA, Director Student Health Careers, Banner Health System; Vanessa Segura, DNP, MSN-ed, RN, CNEcl, PHN, ACUE, Assistant Dean of Nursing, Arizona College of Nursing
- Description: Led by Assistant Dean of Nursing, Vanessa Segura, and Patricia Taylor from Banner Health, this workshop will highlight the innovative use of night clinicals. Attendees will explore logistical considerations, benefits, and strategies to operationalize night shifts in clinical education, addressing capacity challenges while enhancing student learning opportunities.
Reimbursements
We are happy to provide reimbursement credits for summit attendees following the event for:
– Up to $600 towards a flight
– Up to $120 for airport transfers
Reimbursements for flights and airport transfers can be submitted with receipts following your summit attendance, and instructions will be shared with all attendees at that time.
Incidentals are not eligible for reimbursement.
Hotel
We have reserved a block of rooms at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, where the event will be hosted from April 16-April 18.
Our team will cover the stay for attendees for two nights, and a link will be shared in the RSVP confirmation to reserve the room. A credit card will be required to secure your reservation, but it will only be charged for incidentals. Please ensure you register for the Summit to receive room booking details and contact [email protected] should have have any issues.
Please note: cancellations of hotel rooms must be made directly with the hotel within 72 hours or you may be charged a cancellation fee.
Should you wish to extend your stay, additional nights can be booked directly with the resort.
Arizona College of Nursing is an accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. There will be contact hours awarded at the Arizona College of Nursing Clinical Partner Summit.
Certificates will be shared once attendees complete the post summit survey.
Exclusive Event
Please note that all Summit events, including meals and meetings, are exclusively for invited attendees.
Accomodations
If you have not already communicated any food allergies at registration, please send any dietary restrictions to Clinical Partner Summit Planning Team at [email protected]
If you require ADA Accommodations, please let us know at your earliest convenience, so we may do our best to make appropriate accommodations.
Photography
The Clinical Partner Summit will be photographed. Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the Arizona College of Nursing and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising.
By entering the event premises, you also waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.
You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event premises.
Should you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the Clinical Partner Summit Team at: