Second Annual Nursing PIER Conference Held at SHU

Leaders, students and faculty unite to advance nursing practice, education and research

Sacred Heart University’s Dr. Susan L. Davis, RN, & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing (DHCON), in collaboration with Nuvance Health (part of Northwell Health), recently hosted the second annual Nursing Practice Innovation, Education and Research (PIER) Conference. The event is designed to celebrate nursing excellence and foster collaboration among students, faculty and health care leaders.

The conference brought together undergraduate and graduate nursing students, faculty scholars, nurses, nurse executives and health care partners. Participants engaged in panel discussions, research presentations and a nursing hackathon focused on tackling challenges that the nursing workforce and other health system professionals face.

Students collaborated and gained real-world insights through roundtable discussions with chief nurse officers, chief operating officers and other health care executives from across the state. The conference covered topics such as workforce retention, digital health, evidence-based leadership and equity-focused care.

“The broad spectrum of attendees contributed to an intellectually rich and interprofessional experience where nurses had the opportunity to present posters and engage in professional dialogue, while faculty shared scholarship and networked with practice-based leaders,” said Jasper Erwin Tolarba, Endowed Chair for Nursing Practice, Education, Research & Innovation at Nuvance Health and SHU.

“The Nursing PIER Conference embodies the power of collaboration across education, practice and research. By bringing students, faculty and health care leaders together, we are not only advancing nursing knowledge but also shaping the future of patient care and health systems,” said Karen Daley, dean of the DHCON.

One event highlight was the keynote address by Lynn Malerba, the 18th chief of the Mohegan Tribe who was the first Native American to serve as United States treasurer when she held the post from 2022 to 2024. Malerba shared her leadership journey in nursing, tribal health and federal policy, urging attendees to embrace their role as advocates, innovators and leaders committed to health equity and systems change.

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this year’s Nursing PIER Conference, the event is expected to become a signature annual initiative advancing the role of nursing in shaping the future of health care.