Focused on Transforming Healthcare Through Nursing Excellence.
The Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) Department of Nursing is pleased to announce its second annual Implementation Science Symposium, to be held on January 8, 2027, on the OKWU campus in Bartlesville.
Hosted in partnership with Hillcrest South, an ANCC-accredited provider, the symposium will bring together nurses, healthcare leaders, educators, and professionals from across the region for a day of learning, collaboration, and professional development providing. Attendees will earn six Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) hours.
This year’s theme “Transforming Healthcare Through Nursing Excellence” highlights the far-reaching impact of nurses from the bedside to the boardroom. The symposium aims to strengthen the connection between research and practice while empowering nurses to lead meaningful change as clinicians, educators, advocates, researchers, policymakers, and executive leaders.
“At OKWU, we recognize the vital role nurses play across every level of healthcare” said Dr. Rosa Ketchum, Associate Dean of Nursing, “The Implementation Science Symposium was a way to give back to those who give so much to others.”
The symposium will feature keynote speaker, Dr. Timothy L. Hudson, PhD, RN, FACHE, a nationally recognized nurse leader, healthcare executive, educator, author, and retired U.S. Army Colonel. Currently serving as Regional Vice President of Operations for Palmetto Infusions, Dr. Hudson distinguished career spans more than three decades in military medicine, federal healthcare, executive leadership, and higher education. He is also the author of Lead Like It Ends: Because It Will, a leadership book inspired by experiences gained throughout his career, including service on the White House Medical Unit during the events of September 11, 2001. Dr. Hudson’s career journey began as bedside nurse and evolved into positions of significant organizational leadership, exemplifying the diverse opportunities and influences of the nursing profession.
In addition to the keynote presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions covering a variety of topics, including:
• Missing Signs, Missed Opportunities: Domestic Violence in Primary Care
• The Connection Between Employee Experience and Patient Outcomes
• Thinking Outside the Classroom: Expanding Nursing Pathways and Supporting Student Success
• Good Grief! Navigating Loss in the Caring Professions
• Practice Before Crisis: Transforming Workplace Violence Education Through Simulation
• Beyond the Bedside: Transforming Nursing Practice Through Virtual Care and AI-Assisted Patient Safety
Registration is now open. Early registration is encouraged. Individuals who register by December 1, 2026, will receive a symposium swag bag and lunch. Additional event information, registration details, and schedule can be found at
Invest in your professional growth while gaining insights from nationally recognized leaders and innovative colleagues. Whether you are a clinician, educator, administrator, or researcher, the 2027 Implementation Science Symposium offers tools and perspectives that can be immediately applied to practice. Join us on January 8 as we learn, collaborate, and advance the future of nursing together.
Contact: For inquiries or additional information, please contact OKWU Department of Nursing, 918-335-6856, [email protected]
OKWU is a Christ-centered institution located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual formation. With a commitment to developing servant leaders through a biblical worldview, OKWU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines including nursing, business, education, and ministry. The university fosters a vibrant learning community where students are equipped to impact the world with integrity, compassion, and purpose. Join us in transforming knowledge into action.
