Welcome to the 2014 NLN.ON Conference, at the Westin Prince Hotel
See the Conference Brochure pdf [click here] – 
New this year: Pre Conference Workshops
Mary Wheeler, RN, MEd, PCC: “Discovery Path” retreat … relax … reflect … renew … re-enter
Do you need to step away from your day to day world in order to make important career and life decisions? Discovery Path provides you with a personal and career development opportunity to leave the business of ordinary life behind and re-evaluate your life, prioritize your options, and then act on your plan.
Richard Booth, RN, MScN, PhD: “Social Media”
Over the last five years, social media within healthcare has transformed from a playful novelty, into a viable tool used for communication, health promotion, and advocacy. Regardless, as a collective, the nursing profession has been slow to adopt and effectively use social communication tools within practice. Until recently, fear and uncertainty related to the use of social media within healthcare has been a significant barrier influencing the wider adoption of this communication modality.
Opening Keynote Speakers
Greta Cummings RN PhD FCAHS
Dr. Cummings’ work has been recognized nationally and internationally through several prestigious research awards, including the CNA Order of Merit for Research (2010), and the CASN Award for Research Excellence (2008) and in September 2011 was inducted as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community.
Dr. Cummings joined the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta in 2004 following 15 years of senior administrative leadership experience in hospital, regional and provincial health services. She established the CLEAR Outcomes research program in leadership science in health services, which focuses on the leadership practices of healthcare decision-makers and managers to achieve better outcomes for providers and patients. Dr. Cummings has systematically documented the effects, both positive and negative, of specific leadership practices on outcomes for the health system, the healthcare workforce and for patients.
Leslee J. Thompson RN MBA CHE
Leslee is President and CEO of Kingston General Hospital and Professor (Adjunct) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. Starting out as a critical care nurse, Leslee’s passion for improving patient care has fueled a career of almost 30 years that spans from the bed side to the board rooms of top tier public and private sector organizations. Prior to joining KGH in February 2009, she held senior executive positions at Capital Health Authority (Edmonton, AB), University Health Network, Sunnybrook & Women’s Health Sciences Center, Cancer Care Ontario and Medtronic Canada.
Leslee is also the Chair of Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario, Vice Chair of the Canadian Foundation of Healthcare Improvement and Board member of Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. She is active on social media and you can follow her on twitter (@Leslee_KGH) or read her blog at www.executiverounds.com
Closing Keynote Speaker
Sue Matthews RN MHSN PhD
Sue is an exceptionally experienced Health Care Leader. She has held a variety of positions as a staff nurse, nurse educator, manager, director, Vice President, Chief of Nursing and Professional Practice, and Provincial Chief Nursing Officer for Ontario and Interim President and CEO of the Niagara Health System. She is currently the CEO of the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia – Australia’s largest women’s and babies’ hospital. Sue has consistently been involved in international, national and provincial activities, with a goal of increasing the health of Canadians through strong nursing leadership.