As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the nursing profession is positioned at the nexus of innovation, driven by a critical need to provide optimal care and enhance workforce well-being. This conference will explore transformative strategies that integrate systems thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and human-centered design to strengthen relational dynamics within healthcare environments. By emphasizing collaborative care models, emotional intelligence, and interprofessional communication, leaders can cultivate a resilient, adaptable workforce capable of navigating complex healthcare challenges.
Sessions will explore a range of innovative strategies, including the integration of technology in clinical settings, evidence-based practices that foster holistic patient approaches, and initiatives that support mental health and resilience among nurses. Through these discussions, we aim to empower healthcare teams with the tools and frameworks necessary to optimize patient outcomes, cultivate a healthy work environment, and contribute to a more sustainable and effective healthcare system. Join us as we explore how these interdisciplinary innovations can foster a more connected, empowered, and dynamic nursing workforce, ensuring the future of healthcare is both compassionate and high-performing.
8:00-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15 Welcome and Introduction
Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP
Dean, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Shirley A. Brekken, MS, RN, FAAN
Director, Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
9:15-10:15 Keynote: System Innovations: Holistic Approach to Disrupting with Love and Human Caring
Julie Kennedy Oehlert, DNP, RN, Chief Experience and Brand Officer for ECU Health
During this session learners will identify two theoretic frameworks that are useful for supporting innovation within a health system. They will learn about key levers to pull to strategically disrupt cultural norms, specifically how relationships are structured, so that a more loving and caring environment can emerge and be sustained. Areas such as goal setting, team attraction, engagement and safety will be addressed as well as the sharing of useful tools to support disruption in several areas within the health system. Return on investment and cost avoidance will be discussed as a strategic skill set to use when embarking on innovations and disruptions. Addressing health system innovations and disruptions will be presented within a holistic versus siloed lens.
10:15-11:00 Fostering a Sustainable Healthcare Ecosystem:
Towards Predicting Nurse Burnout with Innovative, Digital Technology, and Data-Driven Models
Sherry S. Chesak, MS, PhD, RN
Clinical Professor of Nursing/Director, Center for Flourishing Health Care Communities
University of Minnesota; Nurse Scientist, Mayo Clinic
Arjun P. Athreya, PhD, MS, Electrical and Computer Engineer, Mayo Clinic
The healthcare ecosystem is deeply impacted by a range of factors that fuel nurse stress and burnout. These factors encompass personal dynamics as well as the work environment, organizational structures, systemic influences, and challenges related to patient care. Burnout, which manifests as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished sense of accomplishment, has severe personal and professional consequences for nurses and negatively affects patient care. Consequently, it is crucial to identify and predict burnout by monitoring individual, workplace, and structural factors associated with its development, and by effectively addressing those factors. To address this, a study was conducted involving registered nurses (RNs) across two sites of a large U.S. academic medical center, incorporating data from diverse sources, including wearables, to capture individual, workplace, and structural factors. The study employed machine learning and artificial intelligence methods to generate interpretable burnout predictions and also identify key workplace factors associating with burnout. This presentation will outline the study's design and share preliminary findings aimed at preventing burnout and promoting a healthier, more sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:30 Essentia Health Panel: System Synergy and Joy in Innovation
Moderator: Carolyn Hughes, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC
System Senior Nursing Director
Professional Development & Clinical Excellence
Panelists: Rev. Stacey Jutila, M.Div, BCC, System Program Director, Nursing Holistic Care; Anna Bird, DNP, APRN, CNS, System Clinical Nurse Specialist; Rachel Erdmann, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Nursing Professional Development Practitioner; Jane Vortherms, MHA, RN, OCN, CNML, System Nurse Retentionist; Justin Janke, MBA, RN, Director of Med/Surg Nursing; Mary Kimball, RN, BAN, Nurse Manager-Ortho.Trauma and Urology
The nursing profession faces complex opportunities that require innovative strategies to enhance professional purpose, work-life harmony, and contribution to population health. This conference panel will explore the role of nurse retentionists, nursing holistic care strategies, adopting a four-day workweek, infusing joy into work, and identifying pathways for clinical inquiry. Integrating comprehensive well-being practices, flexible scheduling, joy, and professional clinical development at a system level aims to improve patient outcomes and nurture a supportive work environment. The panel will feature story-sharing, expert insights, and practical frameworks for adopting these innovations in various healthcare settings. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to enhance nurse retention, foster a flourishing nursing workforce, and improve care quality.
12:30-1:30 Lunch provided
1:30-2:15 Planting Seeds for Sustainability
Kate M. Nelson, Director of Sustainability, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Teddie M. Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, Clinical Professor
Director of Planetary Health, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Health care has a large carbon footprint and generates huge amounts of plastic waste, yet creating change in our large systems can feel daunting. In this session Dr. Teddie Potter, the Director of the Center of Planetary Health and Environmental Justice at the School of Nursing will host a discussion with Kate Nelson, the Director of Sustainability for the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota. You will learn about the importance of innovation in sustainability and the role that health professionals can play.
2:15-3:45 Unlocking Nursing-Led Innovation: Using Design Labs to Conquer Wicked Healthcare Challenges
Julie Kennedy Oehlert, DNP, RN, Chief Experience and Brand Officer for ECU Health
Whitney Line BSN, RN, PHN, Doctoral Candidate, Doctor of Nursing Practice–Health Innovation and Leadership
University of Minnesota; Clinical Product Development Specialist, Front-End Innovation, Discovery & Insights, Solventum
This interactive design lab will demonstrate the use of design thinking to address an identified wicked healthcare problem using the design thinking framework.
Design labs are one of the most exciting multidimensional communication and disruption strategies available to health-care teams today. They are the perfect venue to ignite teams to partner in creating solutions for health-care issues, feel heard, and own solutions for complex problems. Design labs support teams in exploring solutions for current healthcare challenges, in a safe, creative space. They are a place where nurses can explore their own ideas, find solutions to problems in their environment, and feel empowered to develop innovations.
Design thinking by its very nature is power; it is an iterative, nonlinear process for solving problems, informed by empathy for the end user(s). Design thinking places end users at the center of the innovation process, giving everyone, regardless of role or education, the power to design.
3:45-4:30 Turning Insights into Action
Stephanie D. Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPN, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
After a full day of inspiring discussions, innovative ideas, and expert insights, this interactive session will help you distill key takeaways into practical steps for your workplace. Through guided reflection and collaborative discussion, you’ll identify the most impactful lessons from the day and translate them into 2-3 actionable strategies tailored to your organization. Whether it’s implementing new processes, fostering a culture shift, or leveraging emerging trends, this session ensures that your conference learnings drive meaningful change beyond the event. Join us to leave not just informed, but empowered to take action!
4:30 Adjourn
Arjun P. Athreya, PhD, MS, is an electrical and computer engineer at Mayo Clinic with a passion for developing engineering ecosystems using artificial intelligence to enable precision care in the era of digital and decentralized health.
Anna Bird, DNP, APRN, CNS, joined Essentia Health in 1999 as a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing. Her clinical experience includes med-surg, cardiac telemetry, and cardiothoracic surgery nursing. Obtaining a Post-Master’s Certification from the College of Saint Scholastica, Anna began her role as Clinical Nurse Specialist at Essentia Health in 2010. Her work focuses on nursing policy, practice, improving patient outcomes, and regulatory readiness. She co-leads the System Falls Prevention and HAI Prevention Committees, is an active member in the Nursing Professional Governance Councils and represents nursing clinical practice in a variety of system committees and workgroups. Her extensive experience and expertise have made her an invaluable resource for nursing, patients, and the organization. In November 2024, Anna earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Capella University, further solidifying her commitment to advancing nursing practice and improving patient care outcomes.
Sherry Chesak, Ph.D., M.S., R.N., is a nurse leader who is a passionate advocate for flourishing within healthcare communities. She serves as the inaugural director of the Center for Flourishing Health Care Communities at the University of Minnesota, a pioneering initiative aimed at advancing wellness and resilience among students, faculty, clinicians and leaders. In addition to her leadership at the Center, she holds the role of Clinical Professor in the University of Minnesota's School of Nursing.
Dr. Chesak is also a Nurse Scientist at Mayo Clinic, where her innovative research explores the factors that contribute to resilience, flourishing, and well-being among individuals, teams, and organizations within complex healthcare ecosystems. Her program of research is widely recognized, particularly for its focus on developing effective, evidence-based strategies that support both individual and collective resilience, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
A lifelong learner committed to personal and professional growth, Dr. Chesak has trained extensively in various awareness-based practices that support emotional and psychological resilience. She is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, drawing on her deep expertise to guide healthcare professionals and organizations in mindfulness practices that can reduce burnout and enhance focus, empathy, and job satisfaction. Additionally, she is certified as a Resilience Trainer by the Global Resilience and Inner Transformation Institute, equipping her with unique skills to support others in building resilience against the challenges inherent to caregiving.
Through her roles and research, Dr. Chesak continues to shape the future of healthcare by fostering environments that support the flourishing of healthcare providers and, by extension, the patients and communities they serve. Her work is not only redefining how healthcare organizations approach mental well-being and resilience but also inspiring a new generation of healthcare providers to prioritize their own well-being as a crucial aspect of their professional lives.
Rachel Erdmann, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, has been in nursing education for the past 14 years, first as a nursing professor at the North Dakota State College of Science and for the last 9 years as a Nursing Professional Development Practitioner at Essentia Health. She holds a master's degree in nursing education from Walden University and is board certified in Nursing Professional Development. Her primary role is to oversee the Nursing Continuing Education program and activities offering accredited contact hours. Rachel has a passion for advancing and elevating clinical knowledge, skill, and practice, while improving patient outcomes through education.
Justin Janke, MBA, RN, is a nursing professional who is guided by integrity, compassion, and a deep curiosity for continuous learning. His leadership approach is grounded in authenticity, active listening, and thoughtful decision-making. He is passionate about fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where these core values lead to impactful, meaningful outcomes.
Rev. Stacey Jutila, M.Div, BCC, has served as a health care chaplain and hospital mission and spiritual care administrator over the last twenty years in Chicago and Minnesota. She is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, alumni of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA. Rev. Jutila currently serves as the Essentia Health System Program Director – Nursing Holistic Care of Chaplaincy and a team member within the Essentia Health Employee Office of Well-Being. Within her daily work, she partners with nurses and interprofessional colleagues to deepen and enhance a culture of well-being for those who provide and receive health care. She brings a strong commitment to supporting people of all backgrounds and traditions remain connected to their sense of purpose and meaning in work and daily living. She enjoys helping people articulate how their core values guide and transform their work, relationships and commitment to their communities.
Stephanie D. Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPN, has been a nurse for nearly 20 years. Now as a faculty and leader at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing, she focuses her work on global healthcare studies, partnership approaches to academic and professional nursing, international learning and leadership. She is currently both the Specialty Coordinator for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Health Innovation and Leadership and the Director for Global Programming at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing. She is also the Executive Editor for the open-access peer reviewed journal, Interdisciplinary Journal in Partnership Studies.
Carolyn Hughes, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, is the System Senior Nursing Director for Professional Development and Clinical Excellence at Essentia Health. She leads sublime teams of awe-inspiring Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Scientists, Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and Associates, Patient Health Education Specialists, and Program Leaders for nursing transitions to practice, nursing students, and nursing holistic care. Forging new paths through innovation is one of Carolyn’s joys in practice, and her professional motto is “Positive relationships lead to meaningful work.” Therefore, along with innovation, she is also passionate about building and fostering relationships with nursing academic partners and working closely to collaborate, learn, and evolve with each other to nurture, innovate, and transform the profession of nursing and the pursuit of population health. Carolyn’s greatest love is faith and family, including her husband and three children, who bring tremendous joy and purpose to her life. She feels grateful and blessed every day.
Mary Kimball, RN, BAN, is a summa cum laude graduate from the College of St. Scholastica with a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing. She began her career in cardiac intensive care and has spent the last 16 years managing a Level 1 Orthopedic Trauma and Urology unit at Essentia Health.
Whitney Line BSN, RN, PHN, is a healthcare innovator and Clinical Product Development Specialist for Front-End Innovation at Solventum, formerly 3M Healthcare. She transforms real-world clinician and patient challenges into meaningful insights, driving impactful solutions that improve care. A former trauma nurse and solid organ transplant program leader, Whitney has deep clinical expertise and a commitment to nurse-led innovation and elevating the voice of nurses in healthcare transformation. During the COVID-19 crisis, she played a pivotal role in global medical respiratory protection at 3M, reshaping how critical information reached frontline healthcare workers. Prior to this, she developed expertise in vascular access care and maintenance, contributing to best practices in device utilization and infection prevention. Whitney has contributed to global medical education on respiratory protection, vascular access care & maintenance, and process improvement & implementation science. She is currently a Doctor of Nursing Practice candidate in Health Innovation and Leadership at the University of Minnesota.
Kate M. Nelson, Kate came to the University of Minnesota from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she was the first Director of Sustainability in the UW System, completing a fifteen-year tenure launching and serving in that role. She recently led UWM’s and UMN-Twin Cities Climate Action Plans, their creation and implementation. While climate action planning is a highlight, Kate’s experience is vastly comprehensive and includes aligning sustainability to university goals to include energy savings, stormwater management, transportation planning, and resource management overhauls. Kate describes the real pride of her work as connecting sustainability initiatives to deep equity work and student need. Her previous research in the sustainable development of Costa Rica, Romania, and Cuba has influenced and aligned her strategies for environmental policy and strategy. Kate holds an MS in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development from the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies of UW Madison, as well as a BA in Conservation and Environmental Science from UW-Milwaukee and a previous BA in Theatre and Writing from Cardinal Stritch University. Kate joined the UMN Office of Sustainability in 2023.
Julie Kennedy Oehlert, DNP, RN, has over four decades of expertise and wisdom gathered from a life working in healthcare. She started her career as a nurse aide at age 14 and has served in a variety of clinical, operational, consultative, and strategic roles across the healthcare continuum. Her clinical practice is Emergency Trauma nursing, and she achieved her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Innovation and Leadership from University of Minnesota. She is a perpetual student of design thinking and culture disruption and serves as the Chief Experience and Brand Officer for ECU Health.
In her role, Dr. Oehlert, strategically drives the human experience at ECU Health. This includes patient experience, patient education, patient and family advisor programs, and team member and provider experiences, including oversight of orientation and onboarding of new team members, recognition, and workforce well-being. She is a champion for mitigating workplace aggression, including prevention, patient and team member education, and responses and resources for those affected. She leads internal and external communications, marketing, and digital, social, and public relations for the health system. Dr. Oehlert has operational responsibility for Environmental Services, Food Services, Language Access Services, and Hospitality. She has a deep love of learning and precepts many students from many disciplines, encouraging the next generation of healthcare disruptors! She was recognized in 2020 with the Healthcare Professional Innovation Award from the Beryl Institute and published her first book System Innovation: A Holistic Approach to Disrupting with Love and Human Caring in 2024.
Teddie M. Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, Clinical Professor and Director of Planetary Health, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Jane Vortherms, MHA, RN, OCN, CNML, is a nurse retentionist at Essentia Health. She has been a nurse since 1987 and served as an oncology nursing leader for over 30 years before her current role. Jane earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Catherine University in St. Paul and a master's degree in health care administration from Cardinal Stritch University. She holds national certifications as an oncology nurse and a certified nurse manager and leader. A dedicated nursing advocate, Jane has implemented shared leadership, ambulatory clinical ladders, and innovative retention strategies, significantly improving nursing engagement and retention rates. Her evidence-based approach has led to measurable improvements in patient care and colleague engagement.
Registration rates:
Regular $145
Student $60
Late Registration – April 11 or after
Regular $195
Student $85
Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration, a refund, minus a $25 administrative fee, will be issued if you cancel in writing by April 15, 2025. If you cancel after this date, you will not be eligible for a refund. You must send an email to [email protected] to request a cancellation.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the evolving role of nursing in the context of healthcare innovation and workforce well-being
- Identify how human-centered design principles can be integrated into nursing practice
- Investigate methods for cultivating a resilient nursing workforce
- Highlight successful models of interdisciplinary collaboration to address healthcare challenges
- Identify nursing leadership strategies for managing change and innovation in healthcare and fostering a future-ready healthcare workforce
This activity is equivalent to 7.5 Minnesota Board of Nursing contact hours. The program is designed to meet the Minnesota Board of Nursing requirements for continuing education. It is the responsibility of the individual nurse to determine if the course fulfills that requirement.
Upon completion of the conference survey, a certificate of attendance will be sent to those who request it.
