NLN & Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Selects Distinguished Nurse & Interprofessional Educators for Leadership Academy

NLN & Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Selects Distinguished Nurse & Interprofessional Educators for Leadership Academy

Orientation for New Year-Long Program Set for August 5-6

Washington, DC — The National League for Nursing will welcome 10 distinguished thought leaders in nursing and health education August 5-6 in Washington, D.C., for an orientation to the Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Leadership Academy. The year-long program is a key element of a groundbreaking collaboration between the League and Walden University College of Nursing, the Institute for Social Determinants of Health and Social Change, launched in 2022 to bring about positive social change through focused professional development.

Chosen through a competitive application process for their dedicated work in social determinants of health and social change, the health professionals joining the academy this year include:

• Suha Ballout, PhD, RN, University of Massachusetts Boston  
• Monica Beck, PhD, RN, OCN, CNE, University of Alabama Huntsville  
• Lori Brodie, DNP, PhD Psy, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, Galen College  
• Kimberly Delbo, DNP, RN-BC, CDP, Commonwealth University Bloomsburg  
• Jennifer Forbush, DNP, APRN-CNP, The Ohio State University   
• Donna Hedges, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, CNE, Galen College   
• Kelly Krumwiede, PhD, MA, RN, PHN, Minnesota State University Mankato  
• Adrian Rolle, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Bethune-Cookman University  
• Kelly Sullivan, DNP, APRN-CNP, RN, The Ohio State University
• Patti Urso, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, CNE, Walden University
  

“As becomes increasingly clear each year, social determinants of health have a major impact on access to quality care and health outcomes. Therefore it is vital that nurse educators and inter-professional colleagues be equipped with the knowledge, skills, tools, and evidence-based resources they need to confidently and competently become promoters of positive social change,” said NLN Chair Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN, Dean and Strawbridge Professor at the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions at Ursuline College in Ohio. “Through their immersion in this intensive initiative, these nursing education leaders will be better prepared to address individual, family, and community health and welfare to advance health equity.”

“The caliber of this inaugural Leadership Academy cohort is a demonstration of how important the collaboration is between the National League for Nursing and Walden University’s College of Nursing for addressing the social determinants of health and social change,” said Dr. Andrea Lindell, RN, ANEF, vice provost at Walden University. “I am excited and proud that the selection of this distinguished group is another vital step toward making a profound change in health education and outcomes for vulnerable populations.”

“The National League for Nursing appreciates the opportunity to join with the Walden University College of Nursing in this impactful annual initiative,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The year of planned activities will focus on scholarly writing, research, curriculum development, and building leadership competencies, all designed to facilitate their leading role in preparing future caregivers to provide outstanding culturally quality care while focusing on systems and structures that advance the health of our nation and the global community.”

The Leadership Academy is overseen by the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership. For more information, visit NLNWaldenSDOH.org.