For the first time since its launch, the national program office for the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators held its annual Convocation in Washington, D.C., from June 25 to 30.
Nearly 60 fellows from five cohorts gathered from across the country to participate in structured learning centered on leadership, strategic communication, community building, and driving innovation during times of unprecedented uncertainty. They were joined by more than 20 Fellowship National Advisory Council members, nurse leaders and program faculty.
Attendance grew to 150 for two days of the event as nurses from the Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation, grantees of The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation and Hillman leadership and staff joined for shared activities. They formed connections, worked to understand the current policy landscape, and formulated creative ideas for advancing nursing work in a complex climate.
Collaborating to reimagine the future
One panel session featured current and emeritus Fellowship National Advisory Council members sharing practical insights and strategic guidance to help nurse leaders persevere and thrive amid political uncertainty.
Attendees also participated in a panel on creative action that explored innovative strategies for building strong community partnerships and sustainable coalitions, highlighting creative approaches to securing funding and driving meaningful change.
Panelist Fayron Epps, Ph.D., R.N., F.G.S.A., F.A.A.N., a 2022 cohort fellow from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing, encouraged listeners not to be discouraged by decreases in federal funding, but to focus on what is truly essential to advance their research.
“Leverage relationships for in-kind support and co-design research interventions with your community, as they may be willing to help fund your research,” Epps said. “Think outside the box that we’ve been told we have to be in and crush it!”
Advancing impact through strategic communication and service
The keynote session began with the 2023 cohort presenting their projects to a panel of journalists and receiving constructive feedback on how to refine messages and earn coverage. Fellows from the 2024 cohort also applied their strategic communications training by presenting on the vision behind their research.
The keynote concluded with a panel discussion on how nurses can exert influence and impact policy change by serving on the boards of various organizations.
“Being in community with fellows and scholars who continue to work tirelessly to improve health for all people is both inspiring and affirming.”—Danielle Altares Sarik, a 2024 cohort fellow from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Florida
Celebrating the 2022 cohort and being together
The fellowship launched in 2020 with a $37.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which gave an additional $7.4 million in 2023 to increase the number of future fellows and build on momentum. Early- to mid-career nursing scholars and innovators are selected to participate in the three-year program and take part in an innovative project or study. The foundation has funded five cohorts of fellows, with the fifth concluding its three-year program in June 2027.
