Planting Seeds of Innovation challenges nurses to use innovation to improve health

The Planting Seeds of Innovation Colloquium, hosted by the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership on June 4, examined the science and process behind innovation, and guided participants through the process of growing an innovation seed into action.

Oriana Beaudet, DNP, RN, FAAN, vice president of Nursing Innovation for the American Nurses Association Enterprise and School of Nursing alum, delivered the keynote about the importance and the presence of innovation in health care.

"It is the innovations of nurses that is actually returning health to health care," said Beaudet.

Kelly Landsman, MN, BME, RN, PHN, a biomedical engineer and nurse, discussed current health care system challenges in need of innovative solutions.

Clinical Assistant Professor Stephanie Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPN, asked participants to consider “what if” and ways of innovative thinking that may help find solutions to the current health care challenges.

Gingerich also moderated a discussion with panelists who shared their stories about innovation being applied in practice. Panelists included Steve Burmeister, DNP, RN-BC, CNML, Qventus lead perioperative clinical solution architect, Cheristi Congnetta-Rieke, DNP, Mayo Clinic chief nursing officer, Angelica Walton, DNP, RN, CCRN, clinical assistant professor, and Siobhan McMahon, PhD, MPH, GNP-BC, associate professor.

Teddie Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, clinical professor and Planetary Health director, and Jill LaLonde, OneVillage Partners executive director, discussed how to ensure that climate change is being considered within the most vulnerable populations, and how human-centered design and positive deviance efforts are being used to improve care in Sierra Leone.

Clinical Associate Professor Misty Wilkie, PhD, RN, FAAN, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa/Métis, discussed an innovative pathway to increase the number of American Indian/Alaska Native doctoral nursing students and support them for success.

Margaret Moss, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN, Hidatsa/Dakhóta, professor and associate dean for Nursing and Health Policy, discussed how policy and advocacy efforts can aid in implementing and sustaining innovation.

Planting Seeds of Innovation was launched in 2015 in partnership with M Health Fairview to support nurse innovators, and this year marks its return since the COVID pandemic.

The 2025 Planting Seeds of Innovation Colloquium will be held April 25, 2025.