NLN Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Leadership Academy Set to Welcome New Participants

NLN Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Leadership Academy Set to Welcome New Participants

Orientation Set for February 23-24 in Washington, DC

Washington, DC — The National League for Nursing will welcome a new cohort of selected distinguished thought leaders in nursing and health education to Washington, DC, February 23-24 for an orientation to the 2026 NLN Leadership Academy for Social Determinants of Health and Social Change. The year-long program, overseen by the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership, was inaugurated in 2022 to bring about positive social change and health equity through intensive, immersive professional development.

The Leadership Academy is one of many excellent leadership initiatives by the National League for Nursing, such as the Leadership Institute with LEAD and Simulation. Chosen through a competitive application process that prioritized their achievements in the social determinants of health and social change arena, the health professionals joining the academy this year include:

• Courtney Johnson, DNP, APRN, CNE, University of Texas at Arlington
• Tresa Kaur, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE, NPD-BC, NI-BC, CTN-A, Walden University
• Christopher Martin, PhD, RN, Auburn University
• Barbara Morgan, MSN, BSN, RN, CNEn, South Louisiana Community College
• Andrea Reed, DNP, MSN, RN, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI, Walden University
• Bridget Webb, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, CNE, Stevenson University
• Michelle Whalen, DNP, RN, NNP-BC, CNE, University of Michigan
• Katie Zander, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, Creighton University
  

NLN Chair Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University and patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital, said, “The NLN Leadership Academy will help equip nurse educators and interprofessional teams of health care providers with essential knowledge, skills, tools, and evidence-based resources. In turn, they will prepare nurses and other clinicians to support positive social change and achieve a more equitable health care system.”

NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “The experienced nurse educators of the 2026 NLN Leadership Academy will participate in a year of planned activities dedicated to academic excellence, including practice in scholarly writing, research, curriculum development, and enhanced leadership competencies. This group will undoubtedly facilitate an increased focus among nursing and related program graduates on the systems and structures that underline health access while aiding in the advancement of global health.”

For more information about the National League for Nursing, please visit NLN.org.

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