JOIN US FOR THE 18th ANNUAL SENSES SYMPOSIUM!
Pre-Conference: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Conference: Thursday - Friday, October 24 - 25, 2024
Join us for the 18th Annual South Eastern Nurse Educator Symposium (SENSES): Shaping the Future of Nursing Education, taking place at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC. This symposium is designed to provide educational sessions relevant to nurse educators and nursing professional development practitioners at every level. Dive into 22 evidence-based posters available for exploration on Thursday and Friday. Connect with colleagues from across North Carolina during our reception and engage with our exhibitors, who will showcase unique products and services that can enhance your educational practice as you gain valuable connections at SENSES.
This event is proudly hosted by Southern Regional AHEC in collaboration with Duke AHEC and the NC Council of Practical Nurse Educators (NCCPNE). We welcome the participation of leaders and members of the NC Nurses Association (NCNA) Nursing Education and Professional Development Council.
Conference Location / Hotel Information
The Great Wolf Lodge, 10175 Weddington Road, Concord, NC 28027
Website: www.greatwolf.com/concord
Reservation Code: “2410SENS”. Use this code when reserving your room online or by phone.
Pre-Conference Plenary Speaker
Bridgett Sellars, PhD, RN, CNE, FACHE, NE-BC
Bridgett Sellars serves as the CEO and Founder of Dr. Sellars Educate. She launched the company in 2021 after supporting Nurse Educators to advance their teaching skills and achieve designation as a Certified Nurse Educator over the past ten years. She is a Certified Nurse Educator by NLN, and Board Certified as a Nurse Executive and a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Dr. Sellars is an active member of ANCC, NLN, AACN, NCNA, and ACHE, and serves as Commissioner with the ANCC NCPD Commission on Accreditation. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Research at the University of San Diego and is also a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she completed both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and her Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Education). She is an avid sports fan having 2 sons that play basketball at the collegiate level and is the proud spouse of a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. Since 1992, Dr. Sellars has enjoyed serving others in her community through work with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
SENSES Plenary Speakers
G. Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, FAAN
G. Rumay Alexander is a Professor in the School of Nursing, Assistant Dean of Relational Excellence at the Adams School of Dentistry and formerly the Associate Vice -Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion/ Chief Diversity Officer of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an author of numerous articles on human flourishing, a frequent national and international presenter and a significant influencer in both the nursing and inclusive excellence space. She currently is the American Nurses Association’s Senior Equity Advisor which includes the work of navigating the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. Additionally, Dr. Alexander provided significant support in the shaping of ANA’s New Nursing Leadership Scope and Standard of Practice released in May 2024. At the end of 2019, she completed her presidency of the National League for Nursing, the national voice for nursing education.
Martha Hepler, MSN, RN, CHSE
Martha Hepler is the Coordinator of the Clinical Learning Center for the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina Pembroke. Clinical practice expertise revolves around maternal-child health having worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care and OB/GYN specialty areas. She has been a nurse educator for 19+ years and earned her Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) in 2014. Martha was a member of the 2015 Cohort of the National League for Nursing’s Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators. Martha’s goals and research interests are to enhance student readiness for the clinical setting and their transition to professional practice through simulated learning experiences.
Jill Forcina, PhD, RN, CNE
Jill Forcina is the Director of Education and Nursing at the North Carolina (NC) Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Forcina is a PhD-prepared nurse with a clinical background in oncology, hospice, and home care. She is responsible for statewide NC AHEC initiatives in nursing, interprofessional education, continuing professional development, and student services.
Katie Fitzpatrick DNP, RN, NPD-BC
Katie Fitzpatrick has practiced at South Piedmont Area Health Education Center, a division of Atrium Health, in Charlotte, NC for the past 14 years serving as a nurse education specialist and project manager. She is a certified nursing professional development specialist supporting registered nurses returning to the workforce. Her favorite part of that role is watching RN Refreshers transform with confidence and renewed enthusiasm as they transition back to practice! Katie also serves as project manager for the NC Clinical Instructor Partnership Project. This statewide initiative aims to increase the number of nurse faculty through academic practice partnerships. In her clinical practice, Katie practiced as a labor and delivery nurse and women’s health nurse practitioner. She’s taught health professional students at various levels and is currently serving as a project advisor to DNP students at Wake Forest University.
Susan Hayes Lane PhD, RN
Susan Hayes Lane is a tenured full professor at Appalachian State University in the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Dr. Lane has 20 years of academic teaching experience and over 30 publications in areas such as nursing education and nursing connectedness. Her research has been presented regionally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Lane is currently the President of the North Carolina Foundation for Nursing board of directors and serves on the editorial board for Creative Nursing.
Pam Collins, MSN, CMSRN, Med-Surg/BC, NPD/BC
Pam Collins has more than 35 years of nursing experience that includes nursing education in hospital and academia, leadership, and the legal aspects of nursing practice. Pam is a national presenter and keynote speaker on clinical, leadership, legal, and motivational topics. She has authored articles, chapters in textbooks, and recently published a medical-surgical certification review book. Pam served in the United States Air Force Reserve as a flight nurse and is active in her church and community, with a heart for homeless individuals.
Melissa Overton, BSN, RN
Melissa Overton has over 25 years of experience in diverse, high-stress environments, including 14 years in ER and critical care. As a certified John Maxwell trainer and seasoned entrepreneur, she founded MedicalTraining.me in 2013 to offer continuing education and First Aid/CPR/AED training. Recognizing the need for more than technical skills, Melissa expanded her services to include leadership and development programs through MedicalTraining.me and Illuminated Training. In 2022, Melissa was appointed to redesign and lead the Leadership Johnston program, which she implemented in 2023, impacting numerous communities. A graduate of East Carolina University, she is committed to community building and has received several awards, including the ATHENA International Leadership Award and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce’s Innovator of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Disclaimer: By clicking this button, you will be leaving the main conference page.