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From Evidence to Action

Agenda

person wearing white coat and holding a stethoscope
Section Contents

Friday, August 28, 2026 | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

8:00 – 8:30 AM
Registration & Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 AM
Welcome & Housekeeping
Dean Pam Jeffries

8:45 – 9:20 AM
Opening Keynote: Why Evidence Still Misses Policy—and What Actually Changes That
Maryann Alexander, PhD, RN, FAAN
Visiting Professor, Vanderbilt University
Former Chief Officer Nursing Regulation, National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

9:25 – 10:00 AM
Designing Research for Policy Uptake
Ruth Kleinpell PhD, ACNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP, MCCM
Vice Dean & Professor, Independence Chair for Nursing Education, Vanderbilt School of Nursing

10:00– 10:10 AM
Break

10:10-11:10 AM
When Data Speaks: Influencing Policy at the State Level
An Interview with Senator Gale Adcock, MSN, FNP, FAAN, FAANP
North Carolina, District 16

11:15 AM-12:15 PM
Lessons from the Field: Generating Evidence to Improve Policy Implementation and Impact
Carolyn J. Heinrich, PhD, University Distinguished Professor of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations and Political Science; Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy, Education and Economics, Vanderbilt University

12:15 -1:15 PM
Lunch & Networking

1:15-1:45 PM
Discussion Forum and Q&A
Moderator: Maryann Alexander
Panelists: Brendan Martin, Gale Adcock, Gretchen McCullough, Ruth Kleinpell, Carolyn Heinrich

1:50 -2:25 PM
Taking it to the Streets:  The Role of Evidence in Policy Making
Randolph F. R. Rasch, PhD, RN, FNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, FADLN
Michigan State University

2:25-2:35 PM
Stretch Break

2:35– 3:10 PM
Influential Story Telling: An Advocate's Toolbox
Gretchen McCullough, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
CNO, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

3:15-4:00 PM
Leveraging Data and the Media for Institutional Impact
Brendan Martin, PhD, MA
Research Director, National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

4:00 PM
Reception
Join us for a closing reception to wrap up the day’s conversations and connections. This informal gathering offers time to reflect on key insights, continue discussions sparked during the conference, and build relationships with colleagues, speakers, and leaders across research, practice, and policy. Light refreshments will be served as we look ahead to turning evidence into action beyond the conference.