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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 – 4:00 PM

8:00 – 8:45 AM
Registration & Breakfast

8:45 – 9:10 AM
Welcome & Housekeeping
Dean Pam Jeffries, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, FSSH
Dean, Vanderbilt School of Nursing
Valere Potter Distinguished Professor of Nursing, RWJF Nurse Executive Fellow Alumna

9:10 – 9:45 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 at National Council of State Boards of Nursing

9:50 – 10:25 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

10:25 – 10:35 AM
Break

10:35 – 11:10 AM
When Data Speaks: Influencing Policy at the State Level
Senator Gale Adcock, MSN, FNP, FAAN, FAANP
North Carolina, District 16

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Discussion Forum and Q&A
Moderator: Maryann Alexander

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch & Networking

1:00 – 1:45 PM
Lessons from the Field: Program Design and Implementation
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

1:45 – 2:30 PM
Influential Story Telling: An Advocate's Toolbox
Gretchen McCullough, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

2:30 – 2:45 PM
Break

2:45 – 3:30 PM
Leveraging Data and Media for Institutional Impact
Brendan Martin, PhD, MA
Research Director, National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

3:30 PM
Patricia Meador 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.