Ninth Annual Translating Research into Innovations in Practice Symposium
Wednesday, March 4–Thursday, March 5, 2026
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Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Day One, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Check-In and Poster Set Up Receive name tags and enjoy light morning refreshments |
| 8:00 a.m. | Welcome: Dean Laurie Badzek, LLM, JD, MS, RN, FNAP, FAAN Dean and Professor; Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing |
| 8:10 a.m. | Day One Opening Keynote: Dr. Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FAONL, FAAN Senior Vice President of Equity and Engagement, American Nurses Association; Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing and School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University “From Breakthroughs to What Breaks Through Next: Science Bridging History to the Future” |
| 9:00 a.m. | Flash Presentations: Ethical Institutional Care Erin Kitt-Lewis, PhD, RN, CNE: “Developing Feasible and Ethical Advance Care Planning in Corrections” Liza Behrens, PhD, RN: “Community-Engaged Intervention Mapping for Developing the DIGNITY Program: Supporting Decision-Making in Aging and Dementia for Autonomy in Rural Nursing Homes” Jessica Wellington, MS, RN: “Parents’ Perspectives on Health and Access to Care in Profound Autism” |
| 9:45 a.m. | Wellness Break With Poster Session Viewing (attended by authors) and Sponsor Exhibits |
| 10:45 a.m. | Flash Presentations: Patient Safety & Harm Prevention Katie Grandstaff, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN: “Electronic Health Record Simulation to Increase Competence in New Graduate Nurses” Lauren Hinde, BSN, RN, CRRN, CWOCN: “Risk Factors for Stage 2+ Pressure Injuries: A Retrospective Comparison of Two Hospitals” Krysta Spangler, MSN, RN, CPN, CNL: “Blood Culture Optimization for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients” Naomi Nancy Simon Walter, MSN, RN, FFNMRCSI: “Intrahospital Transport of Adults with Surgical Airways: A Scoping Review of Risks, Processes, and Outcomes” |
| Noon | Lunch Visit Posters (unattended) and Sponsor Exhibits |
| 1:00 p.m. | Day One Afternoon Keynote: Dr. Sheldon Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP-BC, AACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FADLN, FAAN Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion; Research Professor; Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing “The Intersection Among Technology Advancements and Nursing (Practice, Research, and Policy)” |
| 1:50 p.m. | Poster Session Viewing (attended by authors) and Sponsor Exhibits |
| 2:55 p.m. | Flash Presentations: Patient Experience & Communication Rebecca Foulkrod, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR: “Walking in Their Shoes: Enhancing Empathy to Elevate the Patient Experience” Joanne Eaby, MSN, RN: “The Power of Presence: Nurse Leader Rounds That Elevate the Patient Experience” Elizabeth Berro, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE: “Voice of a Nurse: An Integrated Undergraduate Assessment” |
| 3:40 p.m. | Day One Closing Keynote: Dr. Susan Corbridge, PhD, APRN, FAANP, FCCP, FNAP, FAAN Chief Education Innovation Officer; AACN “Academic-Practice Partnerships: Advancing Outcomes Through Strategic Alignment” |
| 4:30 p.m. | Transition |
| 4:45 p.m. | Reception with cash bar Poster Session Viewing (unattended) and Sponsor Exhibits |
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Day Two, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Check-In Receive name tags and enjoy light morning refreshments With Poster Session Viewing (unattended) and Sponsor Exhibits |
| 8:00 a.m. | Welcome: Michele Skolnicki, MEd, BSN, RN, FACHE, ACMPE Senior Vice President; Chief Nursing Officer; Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center |
| 8:10 a.m. | Day Two Opening Keynote: Dr. Kellie Bryant, DNP, WHNP, CHSE, FSSH, FADLN, FAAN Director; NLN Center for Innovation in Education Excellence at the National League for Nursing “From Education to Practice: Leading Responsible AI Use in Nursing” |
| 9:00 a.m. | Flash Presentations: Workforce Training & Competency (Simulation & Tech) Anna Kennedy, MSN, RN, PCCN, ACCNS-AG: “Improving Nurse Confidence and Reducing Anxiety Through Structured Mock Codes: An EBP Pilot” Susan Pazuchanics, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC: “Leveraging Virtual Reality for Cost-Effective Verbal Deescalation Training in Healthcare” Lindsey Ford, DNP, RN, NPD-BC: “Are You Paying Attention: Utilizing Fidgets in Adult Learning Environments” Clarissa Irvin, MSN-RN, OCN, BMTCN: “Roll Models: A Budget-Neutral Turn Team Pilot” |
| 10:00 a.m. | Wellness Break With Poster Session Viewing (unattended) and Sponsor Exhibits |
| 10:30 a.m. | Flash Presentations: Wellness & Equity/Access Ridhi Patel, BSN, RN: “Aromatherapy in the PostAnesthesia Care Unit to Decrease Nurse Stress” Khalid Almasloukh, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE: “Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for Emotionally Traumatized Children” Nawal Alsereahi, BSN, RN, MSc: “Exploring the Social Determinants of Health in Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes: A Scoping Review “ Kristen Bransby, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS: “Implementing a NP-DNP Telehealth Clinic Is Easy — Just Use Your Resources” |
| 11:30 a.m. | Special Session: Dr. Susan J. Loeb, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN Distinguished Professor and Director, PhD Program; Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing “How to Turn Your Presentation/Poster into a Manuscript” |
| 12:20 p.m. | Lunch and Poster Session Awards Presentation Visit Sponsor Exhibits and Posters (unattended) |
| 1:05 p.m. | Penn State Health Autism Task Force Panel: Jeanne Logan, MSN, RN, PPCNP-BC, PMHNP-BC; Susan Pazuchanics, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC; Maria Radwanski, MSN FARN RN CRRN, CMGT-BC NE-BC; Tracy Sinopoli, MSN, RN; Monica Werner, MHA, BSN, RN, CCM |
| 1:50 p.m. | Flash Presentations: Protocol Optimization (Targeted Clinical Pathways) Sharon Truitt, BSN, RN, CCRN: “Volume vs Rate-Based Enteral Feedings: A Systematic Review” |
| 2:20 p.m. | Wellness Break With Poster Session Viewing (unattended) and Sponsor Exhibits |
| 2:35 p.m. | Day Two Closing Keynote: Dr. Steven Fetrow-Keihl, PhD, PsyD Positive Psychologist, LMFT, AAMFT Clinical Fellow; Major, U.S. Army, Retired; Advanced Healthcare Well-Being Coach “The Wellness Continuum” |
| 3:25 p.m. | Wrap-Up and Evaluation |
| 3:30 p.m. | Symposium Concludes |
Student Poster Presentations Legend
| Board | Presenter | Poster Title |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ahmed Rufai Yahaya | Care Partner And Care-Receiver Kinship Influences Desire to Seek Long-Term Care After Hospitalization |
| B | Alessia Tozzi | Communication and Escalation in a Women’s Health Unit |
| C | Azza Al Harrasi | Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment with and with No Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| D | Braedon Joyce | Recognition and Management of Early Mild Cognitive Impairment in Younger Adults |
| E | Brianna Blackburn | PhD & DNP Nurses: Distinct Roles, Shared Academic Impact |
| F | Donya Hafezi Nia | A Systematic Review of Judicial Training on Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment: The Need for Public Health Interventions in the Courts |
| G | Habiba AL Manji | Sociocultural Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity Among Adults in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Narrative Review |
| H | Hiya Al Kalbani | The Impact of Excessive Screen Time on Children’s Cognitive Development: A Narrative Review through the Lens of Cognitive Load Theory |
| I | Jessica Bevans | Improving Appropriateness of Clostridioides difficile Testing Through Admission Screening and Algorithm Adherence |
| J | Karen McMenamin | Increase Adult Pain Documentation Compliance in the Emergency Room |
| K | Laura Pursell | Addressing Pediatric CLABSI Rates Through Kamishibai Cards: A Quality Improvement Project |
| L | Manizhe Amir Mohammadi | Digital Technology in Home-Based Palliative Care in Older Adults: A Narrative Review |
| M | Myra DeLuca | Interprofessional Collaboration Between Midwives (CNM/CMs) and Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) Physicians: State of the Science |
| N | Neressa Tajaon | Evaluating the Impact of a Doctor-in-Triage Model on Emergency Department Efficiency |
| O | RoseAnne Comia | Implementation of Hourly Rounding in an Acute Care Setting for Fall Prevention |
| P | Solomon Tagbor | Family Support as a Correlate of Self-Care in Older Adults with Diabetes in the US |
| Q | Nawal Alsereahi | Social Determinants of Health and Post-stroke Cognitive Outcomes: A Scoping Review |
General Attendee Poster Presentations Legend
| Board | Presenter | Poster Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alyson Yost | Evaluating the Role of a Comfort Care Pod in Decreasing Morbidity and Mortality Rates |
| 2 | Andrea Ferguson | Implementing Proactive Toileting in Nursing Practice to Decrease Falls |
| 3 | Anna Fry | The CFPA, an Innovation in Nursing Education |
| 4 | Ashley Amon | Implementation of a Discharge Nurse on a Med Surg Unit |
| 5 | Ashley Mill | Collaboration Drives Engagement in a Nursing Clinical Ladder Program |
| 6 | Aziza Lakhani | Improving the Safety of Outpatient to Emergency Department Transfers: A Quality Improvement Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Pakistan |
| 7 | Barbara Birriel | Penn State Health Advanced Practice Provider Research & Quality — Productivity, Goals, Needs |
| 8 | Chelsea Mellett | Peer Mentoring as a Catalyst for Leadership and Clinical Readiness |
| 9 | Christina Lightner | Translating Evidence into Innovative Practice Through Public Media |
| 10 | Claire Bethel | Using a Participatory Action Framework to Align Councils with Professional Governance |
| 11 | Corinda Davidheiser | Optimizing Transitions of Care through Innovative SBAR Communication: Sealed. Sent. Seamless. |
| 12 | Daniel Schlegel | Ambulatory Remote Patient Monitoring Complemented by Lifestyle Coaching Improves Control of Stage 2 Hypertension |
| 13 | Gale Shalongo | Growing Together: A Culture of Clinical Inquiry |
| 14 | Jessica Sigmund | Streamlining Bladder Irrigation: A Nurse Driven Innovation for Improved Safety and Efficiency — A Quality Improvement Project |
| 15 | JoAn Kivlehan | Case Study: The Rising Costs of Higher Education Textbooks Far Exceed Inflation, But Open Educational Resources Present a High-Quality Alternative in Nursing Education |
| 16 | Julie Beck | Baccalaureate Faculty Perceptions Surrounding Student Clinical Absences: A National Qualitative Study |
| 17 | Karin Long | Improving Safety in Pediatric Medication Administration: An Evidence-Based Policy Revision in a Community Emergency Department |
| 18 | Laura Longenberger | Social Determinants of Health Shaping Pediatric Care |
| 19 | Lisa Ruth-Sahd | Relationship Between Professional Quality of Life, Grit, and Compassionate Teaching in RN-to-BS Nursing Students |
| 20 | Marilou Magnaye | Enhancing The Perianesthesia Handoff Tool to Improve Communication and Patient Safety |
| 21 | Megan Hovermale | Standardized Pediatric Hypoglycemia Treatment Pathways to Enhance Patient Outcomes |
| 22 | Melissa Curnow | Closing the Gap: Pathway to Practice Excellence |
| 23 | Michell Leeper | Nursing Vascular Access and Phlebotomy Collaborate to Enhance Patient Outcomes for Difficult IV Access Patients |
| 24 | Natalie Faybisovich | The Importance of Advance Care Planning in Persons with Chronic Progressive Illnesses |
| 25 | Hannah Lesagonicz | Improving Patient Outcomes Through Implementation of Proactive Coach Nurse Rounding |
| 26 | Nicole Gautch | Leading the Way: Nurse Leader Rounds Improve Patient Satisfaction |
| 27 | Rose Marchitelli | Staff Break Facilitation Pilot |
| 28 | Samantha Heim | Re-Invigorating the No Pass Zone: A Hospital-wide Initiative to Improve Responsiveness |
| 29 | Shelbie Dearolf | Pain Perception in Practice: Pain Scoring Across ICU Specialties |
| 30 | Stacey Miller | Reducing Surgical Site Infections Through a Multidisciplinary Evidence-Based Practice Initiative |
| 31 | Stephanie Brandt | Post-Discharge Postpartum Support: An Evidence-Based Practice to Enhance Maternal Well-being |
| 32 | Thola Gale | Breaking Out of Boring: Reimagining Nursing Competency with Immersive Simulation |
| 33 | Tina Martin | Hopping Into Animal Assisted Activity for West Shore Health Care Team |
| 34 | Toby Pokrop | Get Involved! How to Advocate for Workplace Violence Prevention Through Councils |
| 35 | Toni Woods Maignan | Engaging the Power of Synchronous Education to Enhance Cultural Competence in Healthcare Education: Using the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence |
| 36 | Melissa DeNardo | Implementing and Reassessing Oxytocin Protocols to Address Postpartum Hemorrhage |
| 37 | Ashley Donsbach | Improving Door-to-Needle Times for Tenecteplase Administration in the Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Initiative |
