Speakers

Barbara Aranda Naranjo, PhD, RN, FAAN
Barbara Aranda Naranjo, PhD, RN, FAAN
Former Associate Provost for Health Professions
The University of Texas Health Science Center
Aranda-Naranjo is a distinguished public health nurse, educator, administrator, and leader with a career spanning more than three decades. Her expertise encompasses nursing education, public health policy, and global health initiatives, with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS care and prevention.
She works as a consultant and provides coaching to the provost, vice presidents, and deans of university academic units to include strategic planning, organizational staffing review, managing change challenges among staff, quality improvement, and risk management. She also serves as a facilitator of community-based organization strategic planning and concept development, including working with community stakeholders on topics related to health and education of vulnerable populations.

Crystal DeVance-Wilson, PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC
Crystal DeVance-Wilson, PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC
Director, Maryland Nursing Workforce Center
Vice-Chair and Assistant Professor, UMSON at the Universities at Shady Grove
DeVance-Wilson is a board-certified public health clinical nurse specialist with 30 years of experience working in acute and community settings with diverse populations. She is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, where she has spent the past 15 years teaching in the graduate and undergraduate programs. She is a member of several national organizations, including the Association for Public Health Nurse Educators, the American Public Health Association, the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, and Sigma international honor society for nursing. She has served on committees, delivered podium and poster presentations, and collaborated on publications. DeVance-Wilson has also held leadership positions in several community organizations, including serving as past chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Health. Her research interests include Black men’s health, health policy, health disparities, and the nursing workforce.

Anna E. Schoenbaum, DNP, MS, RN, NI-BC, FHIMSS, FAAN
Anna E. Schoenbaum, DNP, MS, RN, NI-BC, FHIMSS, FAAN
Vice President of Applications and Digital Health
The University of Pennsylvania Health System
In her current role, Schoenbaum oversees a wide range of applications and digital solutions to transform the health ecosystem to improve health and achieve health for all. She has been instrumental in the transformative integration of health care information technology and created practice and policy standards at both local and national levels.
Schoenbaum earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in nursing informatics from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia. She is board certified in informatics and is a Fellow of the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS). She serves on the Maryland HIMSS Board of Directors and as an adjunct faculty member at UMSON, where she teaches at the graduate level and sits on the Nursing Informatics Advisory Board. Schoenbaum is also a member of HIMSS on a global level, serving as the co-chair of the Nursing Informatics Innovation Committee. She is also the 2023 HIMSS and ANI Changemaker Nursing Informatics award winner.

Kimberly Ford, BS
Kimberly Ford, BS
Nurse Support Program II Assistant Grant Administrator
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Ford is the assistant grant administrator for the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission. Previously, she served as the grant coordinator for MHEC’s Office of Student Financial Assistance on the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) scholarship grant. Prior to working at MHEC, she worked as a research and budget analyst at the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) and the Maryland Independent College & University Association. While working for MACC, she helped administer federal grant funds to each community college in Maryland to purchase nursing simulation equipment. Along with receiving her Bachelor of Science in Management in nonprofit organizations with a concentration in political science and government from the University of Maryland, College Park, she worked on state senatorial scholarships for nurses and teachers during her college internship in the Maryland Legislature. She has worked on all of the NSP II Certified Nurse Educator workshops with the National League for Nursing since 2018.

David Hunt, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
David Hunt, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
Hunt is an experienced health care executive with strong proficiency in nursing and hospital operations. His clinical leadership has focused on cardiovascular services, critical care, emergency medicine and emergency management, patient flow, and process improvement. His experience includes both academic health system and community settings. In his current role as the chief nursing officer at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, he has oversight of 1,500 employees, all nursing operations, and outcomes in one of only three ANCC-designated Pathway to Excellence organizations in Maryland. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and his MBA from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in Baltimore. He and his wife, Andrea, have four grown children. Hunt is intrigued by the changing landscape of technology and its potential to influence positively the work of hospital-based teams.

Ernest J. Grant, PhD, DSc(h), RN, FADLN, FAAN
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, American Nurses Association
A distinguished leader, Grant is an internationally recognized burn-care and fire-safety expert. For the past four years, he has been recognized by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of 50 Influential Clinical Executives in Healthcare and as one of 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. He has been nationally recognized for his work addressing racism, equity, and inclusion within the nursing profession. Modern Healthcare named him a 2023 Top Diversity Leader.
He is the first man to have been elected as president of the American Nurses Association in its 128 years of existence.
In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush presented Grant with a Nurse of the Year Award for his work treating burn victims from the World Trade Center site. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Grant holds a BSN degree from North Carolina Central University and MSN and PhD degrees from the University of North Carolina -Greensboro.

Rebecca Love, MSN, RN, BS, FIEL
Rebecca Love, MSN, RN, BS, FIEL
President Emerita and Co-Founder, SONSIEL
Founder, HireNurses.com, Nurse Hackathon, and the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement
Co-Author, “The Nurse’s Guide to Innovation: Accelerating the Journey” and “The Rebel Nurse Handbook”
Co-Chair, Nursing Is STEM
Love is an esteemed nurse executive, renowned speaker, and a prominent figure in the nursing profession. She is a regular contributor on the Forbes Business Council and has been featured in BBC, Fortune, Becker's, Forbes, STAT Chief Healthcare Executive Magazine, and ABC news. She made history as the first nurse to be featured on Ted.com, is recognized as one of LinkedIn's Top Voices, and was nominated as one of Modern Healthcare’s Most Influential People in Healthcare list. She is also the author of two international best-selling books on nurse innovation and is a national and international expert on the nursing workforce.
As an experienced nurse entrepreneur, Love established HireNurses.com in 2013, a groundbreaking online platform connecting nurses with career opportunities. In 2018, HireNurses.com was successfully acquired by Ryalto Group in the United Kingdom, where Love assumed the role of managing director of U.S. markets until its acquisition in 2019. She is now chief nursing officer at Quadrivia.AI, where she continues to shape the future of nursing by utilizing AI to transform workloads and workflows in health care.
Passionate about empowering nurses and driving transformative change in health care, Love is dedicated to creating innovative solutions, fostering collaboration, and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit within the nursing profession. Her unwavering commitment to advancing nursing practice has made a lasting impact on the industry and continues to inspire nurses worldwide.

Peggy Norton-Rosko, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Peggy Norton-Rosko, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive
University of Maryland Medical System
As chief nurse executive for the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), Norton-Rosko serves as the system's leader for nursing practice, standards of care, nursing professional development, and partnership with schools of nursing. She also supports UMMS’s strategic planning, nursing workforce development, continuous clinical improvement initiatives, and High Reliability journey.
Prior to her current role, Norton-Rosko served as the regional chief nursing officer for Trinity Health’s Illinois and Indiana region. Prior to that, she served as the chief nursing officer for George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Her clinical background includes many years as an advanced practice nurse working with cardiovascular surgery patients and many years as a critical care nurse.
She has served in affiliate and adjunct faculty positions for several schools of nursing. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University of Chicago, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chamberlain University. She was named to the Johson and Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship for 2023 - 24.
Norton-Rosko is committed to supporting a professional nursing practice environment that supports excellent patient care by advocating for nurses to engage in professional governance to shape their practice and improve patient outcomes.

Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN
Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN
The Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and Professor
Co-Chair, Maryland Action Coalition
Over the past 15 years at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Ogbolu has held various leadership roles, including chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice, director of the UMSON Office of Global Health and co-director of the UMSON Center for Health Equity and Outcomes Research and the UMB Global Learning to Advance Health Equity Network. Ogbolu's research and scholarship at UMB have focused on advancing health for all and nurse capacity both locally and globally. Her projects focus on improving culturally and linguistically appropriate care in hospitals, addressing social determinants of health, hypertension, and social isolation in marginalized communities. She has secured over $20 million in funding from various agencies and foundations. Currently, she leads a national network to advance global learning for health equity under a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a community grant to reduce cardiovascular health disparities in Baltimore. Ogbolu is known for her collaboration across disciplines and within the community, including co-directing UMNursing, an academic practice partnership with nurse leaders at University of Maryland Medical System. Nationally, she has worked with the American Association of Nursing, National Quality Forum, National League for Nursing, and the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General, and she has consulted internationally with the World Health Organization. She is an elected fellow of the National Academies of Practice and of the American Academy of Nursing. Ogbolu is a three-time graduate of UMSON (BS, MS, PhD), a native of West Baltimore, and a wife and mother of four.

Kara Platt, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
Kara Platt, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Nursing
Frostburg University
A dedicated leader in nursing education, Platt has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of the Frostburg State University (Maryland) nursing program since its inception 16 years ago. Her efforts have been pivotal in addressing workforce needs across the state by developing and expanding nursing education pathways.
A passionate advocate for rural workforce development, Platt has championed initiatives to increase access to nursing education, including the establishment of an on-campus BSN program and a fully online LPN-to-BSN program. Her commitment to student success and workforce readiness has shaped nursing education at Frostburg State and beyond.
In addition to her leadership at Frostburg State, Platt serves as a consultant to nursing programs both in the United States and internationally, contributing her expertise in curriculum development, accreditation, and program expansion.

Laura Schenk, DNP, RN, CNE
Laura Schenk, DNP, RN, CNE
Nurse Support Program II Grant Administrator
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Schenk is the grant administrator for the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission. Previously, she worked as an academic progression coordinator and an assistant professor of nursing at Harford Community College in Maryland, where she gained experience as a course coordinator, NSP II project director, and interim dean. Along with receiving her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from Stevenson University in Maryland, Schenk graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in leadership from Salisbury University in Maryland. She is a registered nurse with a clinical background in orthopedic/medical-surgical nursing and community health. She is also a certified nurse educator with nine years of teaching experience in the classroom, clinical, and simulation/lab settings.

Patricia Travis, PhD, RN, CCRP
Patricia Travis, PhD, RN, CCRP
Senior Associate Director of Clinical Research
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Co-Chair, Maryland Action Coalition
During her 27 years of active-duty military service, Travis was the recipient of numerous military and professional honors and published and lectured on nursing, health care and research topics. Travis served for many years as a consultant on medical/legal, research, and compliance issues. Dedicated to professional organizations, she served as a director-at-large (2012 - 14), secretary of the American Nurses Association for two terms (2016 - 20), and on the ANA-PAC board of trustees (2012 - 14). At the state level, Travis has served the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) in many leadership roles, including president (2009 - 11) and first vice president of the board of directors (2007 - 08). She was a representative to the MNA board of directors from MNA District 3 as well as the district’s 2010 delegate to the ANA House of Delegates. She represents MNA as a nurse co-lead with the Maryland Nursing Action Coalition. Additionally, Travis is an American Nurses Advocacy Institute fellow. Supported by the military, Travis earned her BSN, MS, and PhD degrees from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She has been certified as a Clinical Research Professional since 2004.

Danielle Wilson, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Danielle Wilson, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is a two-hospital system with two free-standing emergency departments and multiple ambulatory offices covering the five counties of Maryland’s mid-shore; Queen Anne, Kent, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester. Wilson has held nursing leadership positions at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, the University of Maryland Capital Region Health, and George Washington Hospital before joining Shore. She is a member of the Maryland Nurses Association and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and is a past at-large board member of the Maryland Organization of Nuse Leaders. Wilson earned her BSN from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and her MSN from Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Karen Wyche Latham, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FAONL
Karen Wyche Latham, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FAONL
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
Wyche Latham is a highly accomplished executive nurse leader with more than 34 years of experience in the nursing profession and a strong commitment to nursing professional development and excellence. In her current role, Wyche Latham is committed to ensuring that her teams have the necessary skills, tools, and resources to provide safe, high quality, and compassionate care that translates into improved patient outcomes and an exceptional patient experience.
Wyche Latham is a lifelong learner with a passion for education and for mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders. She is a 2024 inductee of the Fellows of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo in Ohio, her master’s degree from George Mason University in Virginia, and her doctoral degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is also a member of Sigma International Honor Society of Nursing.
Wyche Latham’s passion and commitment to excellence extend beyond the walls of the hospital. She is deeply invested in the well-being of her communities, working tirelessly to address health care disparities and promote health care for all. She actively serves in various professional and community-based organizations, including Beacon of Hope (board member), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (general member), Top Ladies of Distinction (Patuxent River Chapter), National College of Negro Women (Charles County Section), Chi Eta Phi Sorority (Lambda Phi Chapter), and the Black Nurse Collaborative.

Olga Yakusheva, PhD, MSE, FAAN
Olga Yakusheva, PhD, MSE, FAAN
Economist and Professor
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Yakusheva is an international expert and thought leader on the economic value of nursing to health care systems and payors. She is an economist and professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and an economics editor for the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Yakusheva’s work has been published in top economics and medical journals, including Review of Economics and Statistics and JAMA. Her research team has led studies quantifying the value-added contribution of nurses to patient outcomes and to organizational financial outcomes to improve nurse staffing, reduce burnout, and promote the economic value of nurses. Yakusheva is the lead author of the Nursing Human Value Capital Model and the Value-Informed Nursing Practice and Leadership Model.