Nurse leaders with Betty Irene Moore Fellowship give keynote addresses at Mount Sinai event

Nov. 15, 2023

By Megan Hansen

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Kimberly Souffront and Dora Clayton-Jones participated in the Mount Sinai Health System Nursing Research Day 2023 with Susan Reinhard, Fellowship National Advisory Council member. 

When Betty Irene Moore Fellow Kimberly Souffront began her work to organize the Mount Sinai Health System Nursing Research Day 2023, she knew she wanted to include nursing science experts affiliated with the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.

Dora Clayton-Jones, 2021 cohort fellow and associate professor at Marquette University College of Nursing, and Susan Reinhard, Fellowship National Advisory Council member and senior vice president and director of the AARP Public Policy Institute, gave keynote presentations at the Nov. 10 event. Both specialize in enhancing health care transitions for patients, aligning with the theme of the hybrid event, "Crossing the Divide: The Role of Nursing in Navigating Transitions of Care."

“Over the past two years of the fellowship program, I've had the privilege of developing a strong connection with Dr. Clayton-Jones. It brings me great pride to feature her as a keynote speaker. Additionally, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Reinhard at this year's Convocation and I am sincerely grateful that she, too, accepted the role of a keynote speaker,” Souffront said. “The event was an enlightening and engaging one made possible through the invaluable connections and opportunities provided by our fellowship.”

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Kimberly Souffront and Dora Clayton-Jones at the Mount Sinai Health System Nursing Research Day 2023.

Clayton-Jones’ keynote discussion, “Utilizing Community Assets to Support Self-Management in Health Care Transitions,” focused on her expertise in transitions of care for adolescents living with sickle cell disease. Her address focused on best practices for community engagement and how to translate community engagement activities into interventions that support youth who are living with chronic illnesses. She also discussed the impact of community-driven solutions and their role in enhancing transition readiness from pediatric to adult-centric care.

“This is a topic that is close to my heart. So, when Dr. Souffront asked me to participate, I was happy to support her and the Mount Sinai Health System nursing community. When a fellow cohort member or peer shares a request for assistance, we in the fellowship program readily extend our support. Our network and community are truly remarkable. I am grateful to be a part of such an outstanding family of leaders,” Clayton-Jones said.

Reinhard is a nationally recognized expert in health and long-term care policy in various settings and gave the “Health Care Transitions: Translating Research into Policy and Practice” keynote speech. She discussed her personal experiences and how nurse scientists can drive improvements in health care transitions by using research to promote policy change.

“I was delighted to participate because I am passionate about the role nurses can play in making this happen. We just need to understand and employ the forces for transition, which include seeking evidence, humanizing the data, engaging stakeholders, sparking media attention, seeking policy vehicles and partnering with nurse leaders and others to effect change,” Reinhard said.

Heather M. Young, fellowship national program director, said it is exciting to see the fellowship and annual Convocation bring nurse scientists together.

"Our national program team is delighted to witness these natural connections forming, reaching beyond the activities of the fellowship program. These connections possess significant potential to profoundly influence the future landscape of nursing in our nation,” Young said.