Planting Seeds of Innovation encourages nurses to embrace innovation to improve care

^{Julie Kennedy Oehlert}

The Planting Seeds of Innovation Conference, hosted by the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership on April 25, explored how interdisciplinary innovations can foster a more connected, empowered, and dynamic nursing workforce, ensuring the future of health care is both compassionate and high-performing.

Julie Kennedy Oehlert, DNP, RN, chief experience and brand officer for ECU Health, delivered the keynote on holistic approaches to innovation that can foster a caring, sustainable environment.

“Empathy is where disruption begins, and it’s where innovation lives,” Oehlert says. “If I feel something, I want to make it better. Empathy is the important human aspect that makes us want to disrupt and innovate.”

Sherry Chesak, PhD, RN, clinical professor and Center for Flourishing Health Care Communities director, and Arjun Athreya, PhD, Mayo Clinic electrical and computer engineer, presented on predicting nurse burnout with innovative technology and data-driven models.

Essentia Health Senior Nursing Director Carolyn Hughes, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, moderated a panel with Essentia Health colleagues on actionable strategies to improve care quality and foster a flourishing nursing workforce. Panelists included Rev. Stacey Jutila, MDiv, 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-Orthopedics, Trauma and Urology.

Teddie Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, clinical professor and Center of Planetary Health and Environmental Justice director, led a discussion with John Gardner, sustainability data and project manager at the University of Minnesota, and Yvonne Mongare, a current nursing student. They discussed the importance of innovation in sustainability and how health professionals can make an impact.

Oehlert and Whitney Line, BSN, RN, PHN, Doctor of Nursing Practice student and Solventum clinical product development specialist, led an interactive design lab to demonstrate the use of design thinking in addressing health care problems.

Clinical Assistant Professor Stephanie Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPH, led a guided reflection and collaborative discussion that asked attendees to identify the most impactful lessons from the day and translate them into actionable strategies for their organizations. 

Planting Seeds of Innovation was launched in 2015 in partnership with M Health Fairview to support nurse innovators.

The 2026 Planting Seeds of Innovation Conference will be held April 24.