During the second quarter of 2025, USI's Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning will offer the following conferences and workshops designed to provide essential continuing education and professional development opportunities for health professionals across disciplines.
Nursing Leadership Conference – April 2
The University of Southern Indiana is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Rudolph, JD, MSN, RN, PLNC, of Memphis, Tennessee, as the opening keynote presenter at the 22nd annual Nursing Leadership Conference. She will give two presentations: How to Reduce Your Liability: For Nursing Leaders and Surefire Documentation Techniques for Nursing Leaders. She is an attorney and nurse who founded JurexNurse.com, a company that trains nurses to be certified as Professional Legal Nurse Consultants. Rudolph earned her nursing and law degrees from Vanderbilt University. She has been a nursing faculty member and has practiced law in Memphis for many years, in addition to being a prolific speaker and author on legal issues in nursing.
Alex Weber is the closing keynote presenter at this conference. He helps leaders, individuals, and organizations be relentless, gain their competitive edge and unlock new levels of achievement. He has positively inspired over 3.5 million people worldwide and has worked with major companies like ABC, Xerox, Apple, Amazon, Under Armour, LinkedIn, The Los Angeles Lakers, Stanford Business and many more.
“This speaker will empower you to be a positive leader and accomplish goals in your career, your relationships and your life,” says Dr. Anita Hagan, Director of the Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning.
The deadline for reduced registration is March 19. For more information, visit USI.edu/leadership-conference.
Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Performance Improvement in Healthcare Virtual Conference – April 23
Rachel Stangland, MSN, RN, CNOR, Operating Room and Clinical Education Manager at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana, will be the keynote speaker at USI’s Virtual Research Conference. Her topic will cover emotional intelligence and the impact it has on success in healthcare.
Following the keynote presentation, concurrent podium and poster sessions will be provided in a virtual environment to disseminate research, evidence-based practice and performance improvement among healthcare disciplines. Virtual attendees will have an opportunity to learn about strategies to improve patient care and healthcare systems.
The learner outcome of this program is to prepare health professionals to implement effective research and evidence-based healthcare strategies in professional practice.
The deadline for reduced registration is April 8. For more information, visit USI.edu/health/research.
Empowering Medical Forensic Practice: Trauma, Teamwork and Transformation – May 14 and 15
The Indiana SANE Training Project, a program of the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center, is hosting a two-day conference in Indianapolis to support and advance medical forensic practice for nurses and multidisciplinary teams. Through presentations by national experts, this event will explore critical topics impacting patient care and professional collaboration, including the neurobiology of trauma, strategies for effective teamwork in healthcare and the psychological and societal impacts of pornography.
Additionally, attendees will receive the latest practice updates relevant to Indiana medical forensic nurses and their teams.
Speaker lineup:
Jim Hopper, PhD, is an independent consultant and teaching associate in psychology at Harvard Medical School. For over 30 years, his research, clinical and consulting work has focused on the psychological and biological effects of sexual assault and other traumas.
Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAAN, CSP, is the CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute. She works with healthcare organizations to cultivate a professional workforce by addressing bullying and incivility. In 2022, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing for her work to eradicate disruptive behaviors in healthcare.
Russell and Myra Strand are co-owners of Strand Squared Solutions LLC (Strand²). Russell is a retired U.S. Army CID Senior Federal Special Agent and Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program Manager. Myra Strand, MA, CA, is the Advocacy Diplomat at Strand² and a Certified Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist: Advanced.
Nancy Norton, RN, CHP (Certified Humor Professional), is an award-winning comedian and keynote speaker. Her presentations are based on evidence-based studies about the benefits of therapeutic humor. She backs up the anecdotal evidence with funny, fast-paced storytelling.
Conference Location: Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel- Keystone Crossing, 8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana
For more information, visit USI.edu/sane-conference.
Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies – May 21-23
The 42nd annual Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies (IADS) will focus on current substance use disorders; alcohol and drug trends; the role of trauma in addiction; strategies for addictions counselors in promoting recovery; trends in the use and distribution of illegal narcotics; and much more! In addition to a variety of other topics, IADS will also offer education on HIV, Hepatitis C and ethics. This interprofessional conference provides practical tools and ground-breaking information related to successful intervention, rehabilitation and treatment.
Keynote speakers:
Dr. Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, BSW, NCAC II, CDC III, SAP, former Executive Director of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, will give a presentation on conflict resolution on Wednesday.
Dr. Mita Johnson will speak on professional ethics on Thursday and the impact of marijuana use and self-care for healthcare professionals on Friday.
Who should attend?
Counselors, social workers, case managers, therapists, educators, nurses, personnel directors, correction personnel and other healthcare professionals interested in problems of alcohol and drug use disorders and all addictions.
In 2025, registration is discounted with generous support from Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
Prices will increase after May 7. For more information, visit USI.edu/IADS.
For information, call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu. The entire list of 2025 conferences and workshops is on the Center’s website.
About the USI Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning
The USI Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning is committed to providing quality and excellence in interprofessional continuing education. In addition to in-person events, the USI Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning also offers a variety of online programs for those looking to expand their knowledge in a specific disease state or care niche.
Continuing Education
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, the University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
State of Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana has been approved by the Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators as a sponsor of continuing education programs for health facility administrators. License number: 98000033A
The University of Southern Indiana is an approved provider of continuing education for several professionals licensed in the state of Indiana, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, mental health counselors and dental professionals.