Community Health in Action: 60 Years of Caring, Innovating, and Leading

Home Academics Master of Science in Nursing MSN: Community / Public Health NursingCommunity Health in Action: 60 Years of Caring, Innovating, and Leading

Join us to celebrate six decades of the Community/Public Health Nursing program at UMSON.

Saturday, Sept. 26
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
University of Maryland School of Nursing
655 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201
(Complimentary parking included; see details below.)

Registration: $30

We are offering complimentary registration for students. Please contact Sonia Smith at nrsevents@umaryland.edu if you'd like to attend this event at no cost.

The School’s Community/Public Health Nursing program is celebrating 60 years of preparing nurses to improve the health of communities locally, nationally, and globally through leadership, partnership, advocacy, and innovation. This special anniversary event will bring together alumni, students, faculty, staff, community partners, and public health leaders to reflect on the program's rich history, recognize the impact of our graduates, and explore the future of population and public health nursing.

We can’t wait to see you!

Meet Our Keynote Speaker

Tonii Gedin, DNP ’14, MS ’11, RN, serves as the Anne Arundel County health officer, a role she was appointed to in July 2023 following her tenure as deputy health officer. An influential leader with nearly 20 years of experience, she has strategically advanced health equity for all county residents through improvements in clinical operations, program creation and expansion, patient experience, and community partnerships. She currently serves as president of the Maryland Association of County Health Officers.

Eliminating health disparities is the driving force behind her work. She began her career as an intensive care unit nurse, a role in which she observed a critical disconnect between the severity of patients’ illnesses and their families’ perception of those illnesses. This insight motivated her transition to population health, focusing on the broader care spectrum to make a greater impact on these disparities.

For a decade, Gedin worked in Baltimore City with Federally Qualified Health Centers, including Baltimore Medical Systems and Health Care for the Homeless, where she served as chief quality officer.

Gedin holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a master’s degree in community/public health nursing, graduate certificate in teaching in nursing and health professions, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, all from the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Agenda

Subject to change

Time	Activity
8:30 - 9 a.m.	Check-in and Networking Continental Breakfast (Lobby)  School of Nursing Museum Open (2nd Floor)
9 - 9:20	Greetings, Opening Remarks, Historical Perspective and Introduction  Michelle R. Spencer, DNP '19, MS '06, BSN '84 Assistant Professor and Director, Master of Science in Nursing Community/Public Health Nursing University of Maryland School of Nursing    Welcome From the Dean    Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD '11, MS '05, BSN '04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN  The Bill and Joanne Conway Dean and Professor  University of Maryland School of Nursing
9:20 - 10:05	Keynote Address Tonii Gedin, DNP, RN Health Officer Anne Arundel County Department of Health
10:05 - 10:10	Break
10:10 - 10:30	Children's Wellness and Environmental Health Partnership: Celebrating 10 Years
10:30 - 11:15	Panel: Voices Across the Decades: Public Health Nursing Then and Now Moderator: Rachael Holton Parran, MS '19, BSN '04, RN Clinical Instructor University of Maryland School of Nursing Panelists: Nikki Akparewa, MSN, MPH, RN Clinical Instructor and PhD Student University of Maryland School of Nursing Jennifer Schneider, MS, RN Director of Disease Prevention and Management Anne Arundel County Health Department Susan Antol, PhD, MS ’79, RN Retired Assistant Professor University of Maryland School of Nursing
11:15 - 11:35	Public Health Connections Bingo Discover the people, experiences, and stories that have shaped 60 years of public health nursing.
11:35 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.	Networking Lunch and Group Photo
12:50 - 1:35	Critical Issues in Community and Population Health Breakout Session A Choose one to attend. The Impact of Data Centers on Communities and Health Robyn Gilden, PhD '10, MS '01, RN Associate Professor and Director, Environmental Health Certificate University of Maryland School of Nursing Addressing Shortages in School Health and Mental Health Services Laura Allen, DNP '24, MA, MS '15, RN, NEA-BC Assistant Professor and Director, Children's Wellness and Environmental Health Partnership After the Pandemic: Preparing for the Next Wave of Emerging Threat Jennifer Schneider, MS, RN Director of Disease Prevention and Management Anne Arundel County Health Department
1:40 - 2:25	Critical Issues in Community and Population Health Breakout Session B Choose one to attend. The Impact of Data Centers on Communities and Health Robyn Gilden, PhD '10, MS '01, RN Associate Professor and Director, Environmental Health Certificate University of Maryland School of Nursing Addressing Shortages in School Health and Mental Health Services Laura Allen, DNP '24, MA, MS '15, RN, NEA-BC Assistant Professor and Director, Children's Wellness and Environmental Health Partnership After the Pandemic: Preparing for the Next Wave of Emerging Threat Jennifer Schneider, MS, RN Director of Disease Prevention and Management Anne Arundel County Health Department
2:30 - 3	Summary, Closing Remarks, Celebration Song, and Evaluation

Parking Information

Complimentary parking in the Pratt Street Garage, next to the School of Nursing building, is included in your registration.

Pratt Street Garage, 646 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Learn more about parking at UMB.