Susan Cooper, MSN, R.N., FAAN, senior vice president for ambulatory services and chief integration officer for Regional One Health in Memphis, engages seminar participants during her keynote June 8.
The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing joined with the Tennessee Action Coalition to host an Emerging Nurse Leader seminar, “Nurses Leading Change Towards a Culture of Health in Tennessee,” on June 8. More than 40 participants from across Tennessee attended the event designed to provide emerging nurse leaders with inspirational motivation, practical instruction and true-life examples of leadership in healthcare.
The morning keynote was given by Susan Cooper, MSN, R.N., FAAN, senior vice president for ambulatory services and chief integration officer for Regional One Health in Memphis. The VUSN alumna encouraged participants to see things differently and empower others to do their best. She illustrated her talk with examples from her past work as commissioner of health for the state of Tennessee and examined how leaders need to be problem solvers and risk-takers.
She was followed by a panel discussion with emerging leaders representing nursing in the education, business, health clinic and hospital arenas. Other activities included small group discussions and reports, as well as networking opportunities. The seminar ended with a presentation from alumna Laura Beth Brown, MSN, R.N., president, Vanderbilt Home Care Services, and vice president, Vanderbilt Health Services Inc., who talked about creating a culture of change to impact health in their own organizations.
“The theme for the seminar encapsulated a focus on leadership and empowerment of nurses to lead and influence change in Tennessee,” said Kelly A. Wolgast, DNP, R.N., FACHE, FAAN, VUSN assistant professor and director of the school’s healthcare leadership specialty. “We hope it inspired nurses to advocate for actions that support health in the state.”
The Tennessee Action Coalition is a nonprofit organization that aims to be the driving force for the transformation of healthcare through nursing in Tennessee. It provides leadership training and opportunities that equip nurses with knowledge, skills and attitudes to lead today and in the future. The seminar was the second of a series of regional leadership seminars planned for nurses in 2016 that support the TAC emphasis on developing nurse leaders throughout the state.
Photo, above right:
From left: Emerging Leaders panel members Jill Kinch, MMHC, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC, NE-BE, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt; Margaret Buxton, DNP, MSN, CNM, Baby+Company; Tracy Wilson, DNP, MSN Ed, R.N., FNP-BC, Belmont University; and Christian Ketel, DNP, MSN, The Clinic at Mercury Courts.
Photos: Susan Urmy
Media Inquiries:
Nancy Wise (615) 322-3894
nancy.wise@vanderbilt.edu