Agenda

Agenda is subject to change and all times are shown in local time.

Wednesday, April 15

8:30 am – 9:00 am

Room

Huntington A & B (2nd floor)

Overview

Check-in to receive a name badge and be eligible for CEs.

Wednesday, April 15

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Room

Huntington A & B (2nd floor)

Overview

NEW in 2026! We’re excited to invite you take part in a special EHE Conference service project in which we have partnered with Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences (our local academic-practice partner) to support the VA Boston Healthcare System.

Stand alongside fellow attendees as we hear from the VA Boston Healthcare System on Veteran-centric care and specialized services as they evolve healthcare to be more personal, comprehensive, and supportive while ensuring Veterans get the holistic care and resources they need. Together, we will give back through this service project by assembling toiletry bags for homeless Veterans served by the VA Boston Healthcare System. Let’s honor service with service!

Objectives:

  • Recognize the role of nurse educators in addressing social determinants of health and modeling social accountability through academic-practice partnerships that support vulnerable populations, including veterans.
  • Demonstrate the ability to collaborate in a structured community service initiative by assembling and organizing care packages that address identified social needs of a vulnerable population.

Wednesday, April 15

11:30 am – 12:00 pm

Room

Huntington A & B (2nd floor)

Overview

To receive CEs for today, please scan the QR code that will be provided and complete/submit the evaluation.

Wednesday, April 15

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Room

Newbury & Gloucester (2nd floor)

Overview

Welcome to EHE 2026 in Boston! Meet and mingle while joining us for a relaxed evening of light hors-d’oeuvres and lively conversations with fellow conference attendees (cash bar available).

  • Early badge pick up will be available. Plan to pick up for a fast & easy registration experience.
  • All attendees who pick up badges will automatically be entered into a drawing for a Visa Gift Card! (not able to pick up badge for someone else)

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to kick off the conference and meet new colleagues!

Thursday, April 16

7:30 am – 8:00 am

Room

Essex Ballroom Foyer Check-in Desk & Essex Center (3rd floor)

Overview

Have your EHE name badge scanned at the check-in desk to be eligible to receive CEs for Day 1.

Start the morning off with breakfast and conversation.

Thursday, April 16

8:00 am – 8:30 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

Enjoy EHE Day 1!

Thursday, April 16

8:30 am – 9:30 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Dr. Beverely Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, President & CEO, NLN

Overview

Objectives:

  • Identify two power strategies in shaping healthcare, education, and leadership.
  • Describe the connection between healthy people and planetary health.
  • Recognize the shortage plaguing the nursing profession and the importance of personal wellbeing as well as taking care of others.

Thursday, April 16

9:30 am – 10:00 am

Room

Essex Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor)

Overview

Join us for an opportunity to meet and connect with Dr. Malone.

Thursday, April 16

10:00 am – 10:45 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Hollie Caldwell, PhD, Rn, Nursing Dean, Concordia University, St. Paul, Wendy Merchant-Schulte, MSN-Ed, CNS, RN, VP of Nursing Services, Orbis Education, and Samantha Smeltzer, DNP, RN, CHSE, VP of Simulation, Orbis Education

Overview

Objectives:

  • Explain the collaborative structures that support effective academic-industry partnerships in nursing education.
  • Outline key operational practices that enable consistent, scalable implementation across institutions and clinical settings.
  • Identify student-centered strategies that enhance learning outcomes and demonstrate the value of the partnership model.

Thursday, April 16

10:50 am – 11:35 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Ashley Graham-Perel, EdD, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, FADLN, FAAN, Director, Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, Columbia University School of Nursing

Overview

Objectives:

  • Describe at least two historical factors that contributed to exclusion in nursing education and explain how these factors influence current health inequities.
  • Identify at least three strategies to mitigate bias and promote culturally responsive, person-centered care in clinical or academic settings.
  • Apply one equity-centered framework or strategy to a clinical or educational scenario presented during the session.

Thursday, April 16

11:40 am – 12:00 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

Best-in-class service presentations from:

  • Multimedia Product Development
  • Simulation

Thursday, April 16

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Room

Essex Center (3rd floor)

Overview

Lunch is served | Networking opportunity

Thursday, April 16

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Ashley Graham-Perel, EdD, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, FADLN, FAAN, Director, Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, Columbia University School of Nursing

Overview

Objectives:

  • Discuss how current healthcare policies and sociopolitical factors impact nursing education and patient care delivery.
  • Develop one actionable step to integrate inclusive and socially responsive practices into their professional role.

Thursday, April 16

2:05 pm – 2:25 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

Best-in-class service presentations from:

  • NCLEX Success and Tutoring
  • Faculty Training and Development

Thursday, April 16

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Dr. Brigit Carter, PhD, RN, CCRN, FADLN, FAAN, Chief Access and Engagement Officer, AACN

Overview

Objectives:

  • Analyze workforce trends and systemic pressures influencing recruitment, engagement, and retention across nursing education and clinical practice settings.
  • Apply strategic change management principles to support coordinated retention efforts for students, faculty, and nurses across the education-practice continuum.
  • Evaluate innovate strategies and academic-practice partnerships that strengthen recruitment, transition to practice, and long-term workforce sustainability.
  • Identify one actional strategy that can be implemented within their own organization or partnership to improve nursing retention and workforce stability.

Thursday, April 16

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Overview

Snacks and refreshments are served | Networking opportunity

Thursday, April 16

4:00 pm – 4:10 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

Best-in-class service presentation from:

  • Outreach and Field Operations

Thursday, April 16

4:10 pm – 4:30 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

To receive CEs for today’s sessions, please scan the QR code that will be provided and complete/submit the evaluation.

Friday, April 17

7:30 am – 8:00 am

Room

Essex Ballroom Foyer Check-in Desk & Essex Center (3rd floor)

Overview

Have your EHE name badge scanned at the check-in desk to be eligible to receive CEs for Day 2.

Start the morning off with breakfast and conversation.

Friday, April 17

8:00 am – 8:10 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

Enjoy EHE Day 2!

Friday, April 17

8:10 am – 9:10 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Donna Cardillo, MA, RN, CSP, FAAN, The Inspiration Nurse | Humorist

Overview

Objective:

  • Identify strategies for personal and professional rebirth and renewal to help expand their nursing practice.

 

Friday, April 17

9:10 am – 9:40 am

Room

Essex Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor)

Overview

Join us for an opportunity to meet and have your book signed by Donna Cardillo.

Donna will have other books she has written available for purchase as well (all forms of payment are accepted).

Friday, April 17

9:40 am – 10:25 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Allen Barnes, Accushield, Dee Bryant, MSN, RN, VP of Nursing Services, Orbis Education, Veronica Ziegler, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Services, Averett University, Evan Shelton, PhD, Accushield

Overview

Objectives:

  • Describe why loneliness is a significant clinical issue in the elderly population and in people with dementia and identify how it can present.
  • Recognize the importance of experiential dementia education for nurses, and how Project LoveMeter addresses this gap in nursing education.
  • Identify how Montessori-based principles can help nurses understand, support, and interact more effectively with people living with dementia.

Friday, April 17

10:30 am – 11:20 am

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Presenter

Samantha Smeltzer, DNP, RN, CHSE, VP of Simulation, Orbis Education, Alexis M. Carter, MSN, RN, Clinical/Lab Instructor, Orbis Education

Overview

Objectives:

  • Define the extended realities and differentiate it from other simulation modalities used in nursing education, including manikin-based simulation and standardized patients.
  • Describe the role of virtual reality in nursing education, including how it supports experiential learning, clinical judgment development, and safe skill practice.
  • Identify the benefits and limitations of implementing VR simulation in nursing curricula and discuss its potential impact on student learning outcomes.

Friday, April 17

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Room

Essex South (3rd floor)

Overview

To receive CEs for today’s sessions, please scan the QR code that will be provided and complete/submit the evaluation.

Friday, April 17

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Room

Essex Center (3rd floor)

Overview

Grab a Box Lunch to go! Thanks for attending EHE 2026!