June 1, 2026
8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EDT
(Doors open at 8 a.m. for event registration and continental breakfast; sessions begin at 9 a.m.)
IU Indianapolis University Tower and Hine Hall
875 W. North Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
The Policy Academy: Catapulting Leadership Roles Across the Health Policy and Advocacy Landscape
Attend virtually!
Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge of healthcare policy and advocacy! Can't make it in person? Attend virtually via Zoom.
Overview
The Policy Academy: Catapulting Leadership Roles Across the Health Policy and Advocacy Landscape is designed to empower nurse leaders and healthcare professionals with essential advocacy and legislative knowledge, provide a roadmap for advocacy goals, and drive meaningful change in health policy through a three-pronged approach.
Orientation Session
Kickstart your journey with a virtual pre-academy preparation session, which will cover the legislative process, advocacy basics, and effective communication with policymakers.
This session is perfect for newcomers to the health policy and advocacy landscape or those seeking a refresher.
The Policy Academy
A full day of inspiration and empowerment! Engage with expert speakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, and create a roadmap through goal-setting activities that will build your capacity to lead in health policy and advocacy.
Mentoring Session
Reconnect in November for a virtual mentoring session that helps you stay on track with your policy and advocacy goals. Get support, share progress, and continue to build momentum with peers and facilitators.
Meet the Keynote Speaker
Dr. Olga Yakusheva
PhD, MSPE, FAAN
Economist and Professor of Nursing, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Economics Editor for the International Journal of Nursing Studies
Meet Dr. YakushevaPanel Topics and Featured Speakers
Our Policy Academy panels bring together leaders, practitioners, and changemakers to explore some of today’s most urgent health challenges.
Panel I: This interactive session on addressing healthy communities through advocacy and partnerships highlights four priority areas: Rural Health, Mental Health, School Health, and Veterans’ Health, with a focus on how policy, practice, and community partnerships can drive real and sustainable impact.
Rural Health
- Mylan Gaston
- Healthy Hoosier Communities Liasion, IU Center for Rural Health
Mental Health
- Stephanie Anderson, LCSW
- Chief Operating Officer, Mental Health America of Indiana
School Health
- Andrea Tanner, PhD, RN, NCSN
- Assistant Professor, IU School of Nursing
Veterans’ Health
- Alicia Gill Rossiter, DNP, APRN, FNP, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
- Chief Officer of Military and Veteran Affairs, University of South Florida College of Nursing
Panel II: As healthcare rapidly evolves, today’s leaders must not only respond to change but actively shape it. This session invites participants into a forward‑looking conversation about how AI, innovative strategies, and emerging technologies are redefining healthcare practice, education, and policy.
AI
- Denise Kent, PhD, APRN
- Assistant Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, University of Illinois Chicago
Technology
- Emily Sego, NP, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ
- Clinical Healthcare Executive, Nihon Kohden America
Innovative Strategies
- Panelist to be announced
Afternoon Breakout Sessions: Deepening Skills and Strengthening Impact
In the afternoon, participants will join facilitated breakout sessions designed to translate insights into action. Focused on Academia, Clinical Practice, Research, and Leadership, these sessions provide a supportive environment for discussion, collaboration, and goal‑setting. Additionally, the morning sessions will serve as the impetus for group dialogue. Expert facilitators will guide each group, ensuring dynamic engagement, meaningful communication, and clear strategies for advancing participant objectives. Each attendee will have opportunities for developing individualized goals within policy and advocacy sectors to advance their professional endeavors.
Closing Session
You don't want to miss this unique, captivating closing session! It has been designed to empower and enlighten attendees to catapult across healthcare policy and advocacy environments.
Networking Reception
Join attendees you've met throughout the day for networking and establishing plans for future collaborative activities.
Registration information
| Early bird (through April 27) | Regular (beginning April 28) | |
| External participant | $110 | $125 |
| IU faculty/staff | $70 | $85 |
| IU Health employee | $70 | $85 |
| IU student | $60 | $75 |
| Early bird (through April 27) | Regular (beginning April 28) | |
| External participant | $70 | $85 |
| IU student | $50 | $65 |
Questions about registration? Contact Hilary Clements, director of the Office of Professional Development and Lifelong Learning at the Indiana University School of Nursing, via email at haburns@iu.edu.
Meet the Policy Academy Coordinator
Dr. Sharron Crowder
Assistant Dean for Health Policy Initiatives
Clinical Professor
IU School of Nursing
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, Indiana University School of Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nurses
Indiana University School of Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 4.75* ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
*The credit hours are subject to change.