schedule of events

8 – 9 a.m. | Sign in and Poster Viewing
9 – 9:30 a.m. | Introductions and Welcome
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Keynote Address
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. | Poster Viewing
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Lunch

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Lunch and Learn with Keynote (invitation only)
12:45 – 1 p.m. | Poster Awards
1 – 2 p.m. | Education, Practice, Innovation and Research Panel
2-2:15 p.m. | Break
2:15 – 3: 15 p.m | Lightning Talks: Research and Practice Innovations Panel
3:15 – 3:30 p.m | Adjournment

meet the keynote speaker

Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC
Dean, College of Nursing – Chief Administrative Officer
Associate Vice President for Nursing Education, Practice, and Research – System Chief Nurse Executive, UF Health

Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, assumed the role of the University of Florida College of Nursing’s sixth Dean and Chief Administrative Officer in January 2024. In addition to serving as the Dean, she is the Associate Vice President for nursing education, practice, and research, as well as the system Chief Nurse Executive for UF Health. A transformative health care leader and advocate, Dr. Henderson has dedicated her career to advancing equity-driven innovation, integration of clinical research, and operational excellence within health care systems. With over two decades of experience, her leadership is grounded in her commitment to creating meaningful and sustainable change.

Dr. Henderson’s research focuses on leadership, breastfeeding, and global health. Born and raised on a small Caribbean Island, she developed an early appreciation for academics and lifelong learning, which inspired her pursuit of multiple science-related degrees. She holds dual doctoral degrees (PhD and DNP) and master’s degrees in business, public health, anatomical sciences, and advanced nursing practice with a specialization in nursing education. Her educational background also includes undergraduate degrees in biological sciences, chemistry with a minor in microbiology, and nursing.

Throughout her career, Dr. Henderson has championed professional volunteerism and advocacy. She serves as an elected board member and neonatal expert for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and held the position of 2023, President. Additionally, she was elected to the North Carolina Board of Nursing in 2022, co-chaired the North Carolina Nurses Association’s Nurses on Boards Council, and chaired Leadership North Carolina Cohort XXX. Her global reach includes service on an international board for lactation, and she has held roles as a fellow, mentor, and faculty advisor at Sigma’s Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy. She also served as a faculty advisor for Sigma’s Nurse Leadership Academy for Practice. Her passion for supporting health has landed her a committee appointment at the U.S. Center for SafeSport and an AWHONN organizational representative position on the federal Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children.

Dr. Henderson is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, regularly contributing to conferences, scholarly publications, grants, editorial boards, journal reviews, book chapters, webinars, podcasts, and fireside chats. She has adjunct faculty appointments at U.S.-based and international programs in nursing, business, health care administration, and clinical research. Her dedication to advancing health equity and clinical research has earned her over fifty awards and honors at local, national, and international levels. Among her many achievements, she was named an ambassador for the inaugural Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Academy for Diverse Emerging Nurse Leaders and recognized as the 2023 Alumna of Distinction by the University of Miami School of Nursing.

Before her current role, Dr. Henderson served as the System Vice President and Research Officer for UNC Health, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Clinical Research at UNC Chapel Hill, and the Clinical Research Integration Officer for the UNC School of Medicine. She led a comprehensive research strategy aligning translational, basic, and clinical research with the “One UNC” system vision. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes the power of collective action and the importance of small, everyday contributions toward creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all.