USI conference focuses on healthcare research, evidence-based practice

A former member of the University of Southern Indiana Nursing faculty will be the keynote speaker at the 28th annual University of Southern Indiana Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Performance Improvement in Healthcare Conference, slated for Wednesday, April 17 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. Dr. Maria R. Shirey is the Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing and serves as Director of the UAB’s Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Centre for International Nursing.

Her “real world” approach to leadership integrates her experience as a nurse executive, educator, clinician and researcher. In recognition of her career contributions to advancing leadership and health systems science, Shirey was recognized in 2019 with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership’s Nurse Researcher Award. She also received multiple other awards for her leadership, scholarship and contributions to nursing education, practice and research.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Shirey back to USI,” says Dr. Anita Hagan, Interim Director of the Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning. “She is well-known nationally as an author, editor, speaker and for her research on leadership science and health services outcomes across the healthcare continuum.”

According to Hagan, this conference will provide an environment to disseminate research, evidence-based practice and performance improvement among healthcare disciplines. In addition to the keynote presentation, there will be juried oral and poster presentations on various healthcare topics.

Continuing education (CE) hours will be available for nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers and health facility administrators. CE hours will also be available for Indiana licensed marriage and family therapists, occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants and dental professions.

If registering before April 5, the cost is $130 for professionals; $60 for current graduate students; and $20 for undergraduate students.