Overview of the Spunt Lecture

The Debra L. Spunt Lecture Series honors Dr. Debra Spunt’s pioneering contributions to simulation in nursing education. The 2026 lecture marks the 20th anniversary of this distinguished series, a milestone celebrating two decades of excellence and innovation in simulation. Each year, one distinguished educator is selected to deliver the Spunt Lecture at the NLN Education Summit. Sponsored by Laerdal Medical since its inception in 2007, the lecture highlights excellence and innovation in simulation-based teaching, scholarship, and leadership.

Submission and Selection Overview

The National League for Nursing invites nominations for the 20th anniversary 2026 Debra L. Spunt Lecturer, who will present during the NLN Summit in Washington, DC, September 23-25, 2026. The exact lecture date and time will be confirmed in 2026.

All nominations must be submitted through official NLN forms and processes described below.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must:

• Demonstrate excellence in Scholarship, Teaching, and Service/Leadership in simulation-based nursing education.
• Be nationally and internationally recognized for contributions to simulation.
• Be able to design and deliver an effective presentation for a broad nurse educator audience.
• Be available to attend the NLN Summit in Washington, DC, September 23-25, 2026.
• Maintain active NLN membership through December 31, 2026 (membership will be verified).
• Consider incorporating the 2026 NLN Summit theme: Beyond the Storm: Reshaping Resilience & Recovery (encouraged, not required).
  

Application Pathways

1. Nominee-Initiated. The nominee requests a nomination from an eligible past Spunt Lecturer and submits the online application with the completed nomination form.
2. Past Lecturer-Initiated. A past Spunt lecturer completes the nomination form and submits the online application on behalf of the nominee. The nominee completes an additional brief form to confirm participation and submit lecture proposal materials.

Apply Now

Nomination Rules and Requirements

• Eligibility Rules
  • Eligible past Spunt Lecturers may nominate up to two individuals per year.
• Ineligible Nominators
  • Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren – 2026 selection committee
  • Dr. KT Waxman – 2026 selection committee
  • Dr. Kellie Bryant – current NLN position
• Nomination form requirement
  • A completed 2026 nomination form is required for all applications, regardless of pathway. Download the nomination form (Word document). Submitted forms will be verified to confirm completion by the nominator.
• Past Spunt Lecturers

• Pamela Jeffries
• Janet Grady
• Sharon Decker
• Suzie Kardong-Edgren (ineligible to nominate)
• Beth Mancini
• Carol Durham
• Kristina Thomas Dreifuerst
• Bonnie Driggers
• Janice Palaganas
• Kathie Lasater
• Susan Gross Forneris
• KT Waxman (ineligible to nominate)
• Colette Foisy-Doll
• Mary Fey
• Kim Leighton
• Kellie Bryant (ineligible to nominate)
• Jared Kutzin
• Cynthia Bradley

Timeline

• Applications Open: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
• Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:59PM ET
• Notification to Past Lecturer Initiated Nominees: Thursday, January 22, 2026
• Deadline for Past Lecturer Initiated Nominees to submit details: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 11:59PM ET
• Selection Committee Review: February 2026
• Announcement of Lecturer: March 2026

Selection Committee

• Two past Spunt Lecturers
• Director, NLN Center for Innovation in Education Excellence
• Representative from Laerdal Medical
• Representative from the University of Maryland

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Scholarship: Publications, presentations, research impact, policy contributions.
• Teaching: Peer-reviewed excellence, innovation in simulation pedagogy.
• Leadership & Service: Organizational leadership, collaboration, influence on simulation standards.

Forms and Links for Application and Nomination

1. Debra Spunt Lecture – 2026 Application Form

   https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8561529/Debra-Spunt-Lecture-2026-Application-Form

2. Debra Spunt Lecture – 2026 Nomination Form

   Downloadable Word document:  https://www.nln.org/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/professional-development-programs/debra-spunt-lecture-2026-nomination-form.docx?sfvrsn=4fc642db_1

3. 2026 Past Lecturer–Initiated Nominee Form

   Required only when the nomination is initiated by a past Spunt Lecturer. This form will be provided directly to nominees in Past Lecturer–Initiated applications.

Application Form Components

Applications are only accepted through the online application available at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8561529/Debra-Spunt-Lecture-2026-Application-Form

All applications must include:

Submitter Information

• Submission Type (Nominee-Initiated or Past Spunt Lecturer-Initiated)
• Submitted By (dropdown for eligible past Spunt Lecturer)
• Email Address of Nominator
  

Nominee Information

• Name, Credentials, Email Address
• Employer Name
• NLN Membership Number. (If unknown, list “Unknown”; membership will be verified)
  

Required Uploads

• Curriculum Vitae (highlight scholarship, teaching, and leadership contributions)
• Completed Nomination Form (NLN will verify that the form was completed by the nominator)
  

Additional Requirements for Nominee Initiated Applications

• Attendance Confirmation (ability to attend NLN Summit September 23-25, 2026)
• Lecture Proposal Components
  • Proposed Lecture Summary (max two paragraphs; include title, relevance, anticipated value)
  • Proposed Lecture Outcomes (2-3 measurable learning outcomes)
  • Criteria Alignment (scholarship, teaching, leadership/service)

Confirmation

• Confirmation that all information provided is accurate and complete.

Nomination Form Components

A nomination form completed by an eligible past Spunt Lecturer is required for all applications. The nomination form is available for download. The submitted form will be verified to confirm completion by the nominator.

• Nominator Information
  • Name, Email Address
• Nominee Information
  • Name, Email Address, Phone Number
  • Employer
  • How the nominator knows the nominee
• Nominee Criteria
  • Demonstrated Excellence in Scholarship
  • Demonstrated Excellence in Teaching
  • Demonstrated Collaboration, Service, and Leadership in Simulation
  • Additional Insights on Nominee
• Confirmation of Completion

Past Lecturer-Initiated Nominee Form Components

This form must be completed by the nominee when the nomination is past-lecturer initiated. The Past Lecturer Initiated Nominee Form will be provided directly to nominees in Past Lecturer–Initiated applications.

• Nominee Information
  • Name, Email Address
  • Nominee Availability
• Attendance Confirmation (ability to attend NLN Summit September 23-25, 2026)
• Lecture Proposal Components
  • Proposed Lecture Summary (max two paragraphs; include title, relevance, anticipated value)
  • Proposed Lecture Outcomes (2-3 measurable learning outcomes)
  • Criteria Alignment (scholarship, teaching, leadership/service)
• Confirmation