On this episode of the Amplify Nursing Podcast, we talk with Rachael Acker, computer scientist, design strategist, and founder of Healthero. Rachael shares how her background in technology and user experience led her to healthcare innovation alongside nurses. She highlights the use of systems and futures thinking to design solutions with long-term impact and explains prompt engineering as the art of asking purposeful, context-rich questions to generative AI. Rachael discusses the difference between deterministic and non-deterministic AI and encourages listeners to use AI thoughtfully, to verify information, foster curiosity, and drive creativity in healthcare design.

On this episode of the Amplify Nursing Podcast, Dr. Jing Wang, Dean and Professor at Florida State University College of Nursing, shares her journey from community-based care to pioneering digital health and AI in nursing. She discusses the creation of the first MSN program focused on AI applications, designed to equip nurses with foundational knowledge in ethics, responsible use, and practical applications of AI. Dr. Wang emphasizes that while not every nurse needs a master’s degree, all should understand core AI principles through options like certificates and micro-credentials. She highlights AI’s potential to reduce administrative burden, support clinical decision-making, and combat burnout, while stressing the importance of nurses leading its integration to preserve human-centered care. Looking ahead, she calls for a united nursing voice in AI to ensure the profession shapes the future of healthcare innovation. 

This season on the Amplify Nursing Podcast, we’re exploring the impact of AI in healthcare. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Suzanne Bakken, professor and Vice Dean for Research at Columbia Nursing. She reflects on her 50-year nursing journey, from critical care to leadership in biomedical informatics, and the evolution of her focus on systems thinking and problem-solving. The discussion highlights human-centered AI through five lenses from Anderson and Coiera: design, values, interaction, socio-technical systems, and implementation. Dr. Bakken emphasizes the need for nurses to be involved in AI development and evaluation, with core competencies in ethics, model understanding, and critical assessment. She also addresses bias and equity, underscoring the importance of vigilance, community engagement, and transparency. The episode closes with resources for nurses interested in building knowledge around equitable AI.

Today on Amplify Nursing, we take you inside the kickoff of the 2025 Summer Innovation Institute. This special episode highlights the origins of our podcast and its mission to showcase the full spectrum of nursing innovation. Participants, including Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellows and PennAITech pilot project leaders, shared their motivations for attending, from building sustainable innovation processes to advancing solutions in aging and dementia care. Common themes included human-centered design, equity-focused innovation, and empowering nurses to be recognized as leaders and problem-solvers. Faculty and leaders from Penn, UCLA, and beyond emphasized preparing the next generation of nurse innovators and creating space for nursing within broader entrepreneurial and technology ecosystems. The week-long institute reflects the power of collaboration, learning, and momentum to drive meaningful change in healthcare through nursing innovation.

On this special episode recorded live during Penn Nursing Alumni Weekend, you’ll hear from Dean Antonia Villarruel and Director of Alumni Relations Maddie Nicol as they share exciting updates about the School’s upcoming 75th anniversary as a standalone school and plans for next year’s 140th anniversary of nursing at Penn. You’ll also meet passionate alumni, including Dr. Nancy Tkacs (NU’75), who reflects on five decades of Penn Nursing excellence and her legacy as a beloved educator. Current students and staff highlight student engagement, community initiatives like Nurses for the Vote, and the growing influence of civic health advocacy. From cherished clinical memories to future-facing efforts in design, democracy, and innovation, this episode captures the heart of the Penn Nursing community—past, present, and future.   Timestamps: 00:00-01:05: Maddie Nicol and Dean Villarruel 01:05-03:13: Nancy Tkacs 03:13-05:04: Vicky Vo 05:04-09:28: Sydney Edelson 09:28- close: Susan Dickey

Today on Amplify Nursing, we talk with Dr. J. Margo Brooks Carthon, Professor of Nursing, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Dr. Brooks Carthon is the new Director of the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing. With a longstanding commitment to health equity and a research background rooted in historical methods, Dr. Brooks Carthon brings bold, innovative vision to the Center.  In this episode she talks with us about the importance of history in shaping contemporary health policy and practice, advocating for its integration into nursing education and innovation. Her goals include expanding digital access to the Center’s archives, amplifying underrepresented voices in nursing history, and positioning the Bates Center as a collaborative hub for both historical scholarship and forward-looking transformation in health care.  Under her leadership, the Bates Center aims to not only preserve the past but actively shape the future of nursing and population health through research, education, and policy. 

Today on Amplify Nursing, we talk with Dr. Danielle McCamey, an acute care nurse practitioner, Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, and the visionary founder of DNPs of Color. Danielle shares the deeply personal journey that led her to nursing—sparked by watching her mother, a home health nurse, care for patients with compassion and dedication.    Through DNPs of Color, Danielle has built a powerful, supportive network for nurses of color pursuing doctoral degrees, providing mentorship, resources, and community. She also shares exciting details about her latest initiative, the Nurses Shift Change Movement, and the upcoming Report for Duty Rally on May 24th—a nationwide effort to mobilize nurses around social justice, ethics, and equitable healthcare access. Tune in to hear how she’s driving change, lifting others, and leading with purpose. 

Today on Amplify Nursing we talk with Dr. Brooke Goodspeed, Founder and Executive Director of GETincluded & Research Scientist at Jefferson Health.   In this episode Brooke shares how after her son’s down syndrome and autism diagnosis, she saw critical gaps in support and resources for families navigating disabilities. After pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, she co-founded GETincluded, a nonprofit promoting inclusion and employment for people with developmental disabilities.  Her initiative, Get Café in Narberth, PA, is more than a coffee shop, it’s a community space employing people with disabilities. Brooke shares how she’s turning research into real-world change and why nurses are key to a more equitable future. 

Today on Amplify Nursing we talk with Oronde McClain, a Stoneleigh Fellow & Director of Survivor Connection at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. In this episode Oronde shares his journey as a gun violence survivor and his advocacy work. He created Survivor Connection; a program that helps journalists access firsthand survivor perspectives while educating survivors on media literacy. His work aims to bridge the gap between media and affected communities, ensuring accurate and empathetic reporting. McClain hopes to expand this model to other cities to improve gun violence reporting and support survivors in sharing their stories. 

Today on Amplify Nursing we talk with Dr. Cat Russell, a U.S. Army veteran, nurse and current postdoctoral fellow with the National Clinician Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania researching perinatal and reproductive health and health care access for U.S. active-duty servicewomen and veterans.   In this episode we discuss Cat’s journey from serving in the Army, working in a fast paced emergency department, to then researching gaps in reproductive healthcare for servicewomen. With Dr. Holly Harner, Cat is developing a secure & anonymous online resource to educate servicewomen on reproductive health resources. Their project, Camo Care, supported by Penn Nursing’s Innovation Accelerator, is set to launch soon. They aim to navigate evolving policies and ensure military women have the knowledge and access they need. 

Today on Amplify Nursing we talk with Andrea Jaramillo, a Hospice Nurse, urban farmer and certified forest therapy guide who founded Forest Nurse. Forest Nurse aims to connect nature with humans by offering guided, intentional and beautifully crafted forest therapy sessions in a reciprocal and relational manner.  Forest therapy is an immersive nature experience that guides you on a gentle journey to reawaken your senses and connection with nature and self.   In this episode we discuss the physical and mental benefits of being in nature, the importance of connecting with and protecting our natural lands, and the seasonal changes that occur in nature which mirror the natural transitions of life. 

Today on Amplify Nursing we speak with Dr. Tracey Vogel. Dr. Vogel is an obstetric anesthesiologist based in Western Pennsylvania. Her interest in birth trauma and training as a sexual assault counselor led her to her current position as Director of Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Perinatal Trauma-informed Care Clinic - one of the first in the nation. This unique service offers comprehensive trauma-informed care for all birthing persons with histories of previous trauma including shared-decision making in birth planning, multidisciplinary collaboration and communication, while also building patient trust, and advocating for optimal outcomes for mothers and babies. Today we discuss the importance of utilizing trauma-informed care in practice.

On this episode of the Amplify Nursing podcast, we come to you live from the 2024 Summer Innovation Institute. We talk with our Nursing Innovation Fellowship program fellows about the importance of nurse-led innovation, the resources needed to support nurses in innovation, and why investing in fellowships for senior nurse leaders is critical. The Nurse Innovation Fellowship program is supported by Johnson & Johnson and powered by Penn Nursing and the Wharton School.

Today, on Amplify Nursing, we kick off season 9 in conversation with Dr. Sharon Pearce. Sharon is a practicing CRNA, former president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, and current co-chair of the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement. In this episode, we talk about the genesis of nursing care in hospitals, current payment models, and the importance of having a seat at the table.

Today, on Amplify Nursing, we talk with Dr. Dani Bowie. A visionary leader whose creative approach to managing the behemoth that is nurse staffing has led Dani to the role of chief nursing officer at Trusted Health, where she is in the vanguard of transforming the modern American nursing workforce. Today, we talk about the importance of building institutional resilience, the challenges and complexity of the current nursing workforce, and her vision of changing the entire healthcare workforce ecosystem.

Today, on Amplify Nursing, we talk with Monica Harmon. Monica is a public health nurse, educator, and researcher. She began her journey into nursing as an associate-prepared nurse at the Community College of Philadelphia. She also holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University and a master’s in public health from Drexel University. Monica is also a member of the Pennsylvania Action Coalition, where she serves as the co-chair of the Nurse Diversity Council and serves as the president of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Area, part of the National Black Nurses Association. She is an advocate for an inclusive and diverse nursing landscape and the empowerment of underrepresented students. She continues her efforts to expose young minds to the possibilities within the nursing profession through the NBNA’s Mini Nurse Academy. Today, we talk about Monica Harmon's journey into nursing, her dedication to community health, and the transformative impact of the Mini Nurse Academy in fostering diversity and empowering young students to envision a future in the nursing profession.

Today on Amplify Nursing, we talk with Dr. Jessica Dillard Wright. Jessica began their academic career in women's studies, science, technology, and culture before transitioning into nursing. Currently an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Dr. Dillard Wright has a background in emergency, critical care, and midwifery. They are an affiliate of UMass ILAS Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, a 2023 Public Interest Technology fellow, and was a 2021/22 fellow for UC Irvine Center for Nursing Philosophy. Jessica also serves on the American Nurses Association's Ethics Advisory Board. Their areas of focus include community-focused nursing and building just, equitable, and sustainable worlds.    Today, we talk with Jessica about the history of nursing and the need for nurses to push boundaries, engage in community-oriented care, and work together for a more just and equitable future for the profession.  

Today on Amplify Nursing, we talk to Kimberly Gordon. After working for seven years in various cost accounting and managerial positions, Kimberly chose to pursue a career in nursing and , eventually, nurse anesthesia. While completing her Doctor of Nursing practice at Yale University, she and a colleague developed the first-of-its-kind campaign school for nurses and midwives. Kimberly is a practicing CRNA, adjunct faculty at Wake Forest and Western Carolina University, and sits on the board of several professional organizations. She is the co-founder of Healing Politics a non-profit organization on a mission to inspire, motivate, recruit, and train nurses and midwives to run for elected office while building a culture of civic engagement within the profession of nursing. Today, we talk about nursing leadership, professionalism, and how nurses have the power to change the world by working together.

This week’s episode of Amplify Nursing was recorded live at the 2023 Penn alumni weekend. We spoke to many Penn Nursing alumni who came back to connect about their journeys and their experiences at Penn Nursing and what makes Penn such a unique place to be. 

On our first episode of season 8 of the Amplify Nursing podcast, we kick off with a live podcast recording from this past June as a part of our Summer Innovation Institute. During the live event - which was so much fun to record, as you will hear - we discussed with our audience the need for senior nurse leaders in health systems to embrace and support innovation, what individual and organizational traits make a nurse more innovative, and so much more. We also reveal the origin story of the Amplify Nursing podcast. This was a very fun episode to record. We hope you enjoy it.