Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation Convene in Washington, DC

The Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation gathered in Washington, DC, on June 27–28, 2025, for the program’s Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators. Hosted at the Washington Hilton, this year’s meeting—titled Levers of Change—brought together current scholars, alumni, and program leaders from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to explore how nurses are driving transformation in health care through research, policy, and practice.

Exploring the Levers of Change

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Ahrin Mishan, Executive Director of the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation, followed by rapid-science presentations led by Dr. Nina Juntereal (Penn Nursing), highlighting the breadth of research and innovation emerging across the Hillman network.

Dr. Winifred Quinn, Director of Nursing Workforce and Policy at AARP’s Center for Health Equity through

Nursing, delivered a powerful session on organizational thinking about policy and the role of nurses as catalysts for equity-focused systems change. Later, Dr. Cheryl Jones (UNC–Chapel Hill Program Director) and Dr. Peggy Compton (Penn Program Director) co-moderated a discussion with Kelly Dockham, Director of Federal Affairs at UNC–Chapel Hill, and Alyson Northrup, Senior Policy Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The conversation centered on building academic-policy partnerships that support nurse innovators and strengthen the national workforce.

Hillman alumnus Dr. Andrew Dierkes (University of Pittsburgh) led an interactive workshop, From Problem to Possibility: Policy in Practice for Health System Changemakers, guiding participants through the process of framing public problems and designing actionable policy solutions. The afternoon continued with alumni-led small-group sessions facilitated by Drs. Alicia Kachmar and Leah Morgan, inviting attendees to share “Levers of Change in Your Settings” and reflect on the intersection of research, advocacy, and practice.

Throughout the day, participants connected with colleagues during meals and portraits by documentary photographer Jason Andrew, concluding with a lively evening social at the Roofer’s Union.

Collaborating to Reimagine the Future

The following day, Hillman Scholars joined the Betty Irene Moore Fellows for a day of shared programming focused on creativity, collaboration, and policy leadership. The morning began with a playful, reflective exercise led by Make Believe Works, where attendees created art pieces inspired by one another’s personal mottos—“emblemottos”—symbolizing connection, empathy, and purpose in leadership.

A panel moderated by Dr. J. Margo Brooks Carthon (University of Pennsylvania) featured national nursing leaders Susan Reinhard, Mary Wakefield, and Sarah Szanton, who offered strategic guidance for advancing nursing policy amid political uncertainty. Panelists emphasized perseverance and the critical role nurses play in shaping policy as a tool for societal well-being.

Additional sessions, including a discussion on creative community partnerships moderated by Dr. Kristen Choi (UCLA), highlighted innovative approaches to coalition building, sustainable funding, and collaboration with community organizations. Speakers Dr. Fayron Epps, Dr. Schenita Randolph, Ebony Marcelle, and Dr. Christina Marea shared insights on leveraging relationships, co-designing research with communities, and thinking “outside the box” to advance health equity.

A Shared Vision for Nursing’s Future

Together, the two days of programming underscored the shared mission of the Hillman Scholars Program and the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship—to prepare nurse leaders who transform health care through innovation, equity, and evidence-based advocacy. As participants departed Washington, they carried forward new ideas, creative energy, and cross-institutional partnerships to reimagine the future of nursing leadership.