Official Event Agenda
Celebrating Nursing Excellence, Leadership & Innovation
Faith · Healthcare · Education · Youth · Community
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
8:00 PM – 8:10 PM
Dr. Suzette McNeil, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, VHA-CM — Associate Director, Patient Care Services; Chief Nursing Officer / Nurse Executive, Orlando VA Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
8:15 PM – 10:30 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, DSc(h), RN, FADLN, FAAN — Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Duke University School of Nursing; Immediate Past President of the American Nurses Association
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking and the Nurse's Duty to Respond — Dr. Marie O. Etienne (details below)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
See below
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Special Presentation: The Nurses Magazine® Fall 2026 Executive Leadership Issue - Official Cover Unveiling & Recognition Ceremony
Building the Future of Nursing: Academic & Practice Leaders United to Address the Nursing Faculty Shortage (panelists below)
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
See below
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Enjoy an evening dining experience at your leisure at one of Orlando's many restaurants. Dinner is at attendees' own expense.
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Lake Eola Fountain illuminated red in recognition of The Nurses Magazine® Symposium & Awards.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · All Attendees · One Room
Identify red flags, respond safely, document concerns, and collaborate with law enforcement and victim advocacy services.
Speaker
Dr. Marie O. Etienne, DNP, APRN, FNP, PNP, D.Min.(h.c.), PLNC, FADLNFounder, President & CEO of GIF; TNM Editor-in-Chief & COO
Sponsored by Global Innovative Foundation, Inc.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · 3 Concurrent Learning Tracks
Identify signs of burnout and learn practical tools for resilience, recovery, and renewed professional purpose.
Speaker
Myrnelle Fleur-Aime, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BCPresident, HANA of Florida, Inc.; TNM Advisory Board Member
Sponsored by Dufleur Health Services
Craft a winning nursing resume and sharpen interview skills through mock interview simulations.
Speakers
Shantrice Mone Winston, MSN-Ed, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CCRN-K, LSSGBTNM Lead Ambassador / TNM Advisory Board Member
Cassandre Milien, DNP, MSN, AGPCNPTNM Ambassador
Sponsored by ENOM Healthcare Consultant & Blossom RN Consulting
A roadmap for internationally educated nurses transitioning to the U.S. healthcare system — the first of Erica N. Fuller's two Friday sessions.
Speaker
Erica N. FullerDirector of Regulatory and Workforce Services, Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Sponsored by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM · Building the Future of Nursing
Featuring America’s Most Influential Nurse Executives in 2026
Panelists
Hudson P. Santos Jr., PhD, RN, FAANDean, University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies; inaugural Dolores J. Chambreau, RN Endowed Chair; Director, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center
Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NICDean & Chief Administrative Officer, UF College of Nursing; Associate VP for Nursing Education, Practice & Research; System Chief Nurse Executive, UF Health
Renée K. HerzingPresident, Herzing University
Nicole Johnson, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CPENChief Nursing and Patient Operations Officer, Central Florida
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, DSc(h), RN, FADLN, FAANVice Dean for DEIB, Duke University School of Nursing; Immediate Past President, ANA
Moderator
Dr. Guillermo R. Valdés, DNP, MSN-HCS, PGC-NEd., Med-Surg BCSigma Virginia Henderson Fellow
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM · Concurrent Learning Tracks
Proven study methods, test-taking strategies, and resources to help future nurses pass with confidence.
Speaker
Dr. Guillermo R. Valdés, DNP, MSN-HCS, PGC-NEd., Med-Surg BCSigma Virginia Henderson Fellow
A roadmap for internationally educated nurses transitioning to the U.S. healthcare system — the second of Erica N. Fuller's two Friday sessions.
Speaker
Erica N. FullerDirector of Regulatory and Workforce Services, ECE
Sponsored by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Current updates in pharmacology, safe prescribing, medication interactions, chronic disease management, and emerging therapies.
Speaker
Carlfred Charlot, MD, MBA, PACo-Founder, The Nurses Magazine
Sponsored by Hope Clinic & Wellness
Managing your first 90 days, clinical confidence and decision-making, and avoiding common new-graduate mistakes.
Speaker
Dr. Luis E. Caso Vega, DNP, MBA, RN, CEN, CGNC, CPEN, NE-BC, TCRN, FADLN, FSIENManager, Nursing Education; Healthcare Professions Education, Academic & Product Innovation, Risepoint
Sponsored by Elite CEU
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Lisa Campbell, MHA, BSN, NC-BC — Director of Clinical Leadership Programs, AdventHealth's Leadership Institute
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Behind Closed Doors: The Nurse's Role in Domestic Violence — Martha I. Wydra, DNP-AGACNP (details below)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
See below
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
An Exclusive Gathering of Distinguished Leaders (details below)
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM · All Attendees · One Room
Trauma-informed care, warning signs, screening tools, documentation, and community referral pathways.
Speaker
Martha I. Wydra, DNP-AGACNPFounder & President, Wings to Freedom Foundation
Sponsored by Wings to Freedom Foundation, Inc.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Concurrent Learning Tracks
How telehealth and digital health systems are transforming nursing care and patient outcomes.
Speaker
Bianca Evariste, BSN, MBA, RNVice President of Clinical Operations, HealthyMD
The journey from bedside care to nurse educator: education, mentorship, and leadership pathways.
Speaker
Jan Adams, DNP, MPA, RNExecutive Director, Nursing Action Coalition of Florida, Inc.
Sponsored by Nursing Action Coalition of Florida, Inc.
Adapt your dissertation, doctoral project, or scholarly work into a publishable book that reaches beyond academia.
Speakers
Charles R. Needham, DBA, MBATNM Proofreader Editor
Maria Needham, DBA, MBA
Sponsored by C & M Educational Services, LLC
A step-by-step guide to publishing your academic or professional work in nursing journals.
Speaker
Sorhaya Zamor, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, Doctorate CandidateTNM Associate Editor
Sponsored by Sorhaya Writes & Sorhaya Health Writing Services, LLC
The Nurses Magazine® Proudly Presents
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Honoring Excellence in Nursing, Healthcare, Higher Education, Executive Leadership & Community Impact
Leadership • Legacy • Excellence • Impact
Join us for an extraordinary afternoon of presidential recognition, distinguished honors, and executive engagement as we celebrate visionary leaders whose contributions are transforming institutions, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of healthcare and education.
Rosen Plaza Hotel | Orlando, Florida
Hosted by
Dr. Donel J. Richemond, DBA, MSN, MBA, RNFounder & President, The Nurses Magazine®
Special Presidential Guest Speaker
To Be Announced
The Nurses Magazine strives to be the leader in connecting nurses around the globe!
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