Leadership Summit at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2025
April 5-8, 2025 | Boston, MA - Together We Rise
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Change the OR. Change the World.
“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Leave a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” — Maya Angelou
Strong leadership drives innovation, improves patient care, and secures the future of the operating room. At the Leadership Summit for perioperative professionals, you’ll have the opportunity to build your legacy by engaging with visionary leaders, exploring state-of-the-art technologies, and discovering groundbreaking solutions tailored to perioperative care.
Essential Leadership Training for Nurses
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just stepping into a leadership role, this event provides essential information for overseeing more effective teams and departments, including:
- Unprecedented insights from the leading experts in perioperative care.
- Cutting-edge solutions to tackle challenges in the OR.
- Unrivaled networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
- Leadership training for all levels of experience
Take the next step in your leadership journey by attending one of the most comprehensive nurse leadership conferences in perioperative care.
Why Attend the Leadership Summit?
Become a Leader Who Walks the Walk
- Boost Performance: Gain actionable insights from industry experts to enhance your team’s effectiveness and achieve measurable results and learn new nurse leadership skills.
- Improve Patient Care: Stay ahead with the latest evidence-based practices to ensure your team consistently delivers the highest standards of care.
- Increase Efficiency: Discover innovative strategies to streamline perioperative workflows, reduce delays, and optimize resources.
- Shape the Conversation: Join critical discussions on today’s most pressing OR challenges. Your voice can help advocate for meaningful change.
- Inspire Growth: Return with actionable insights to elevate your facility, strengthen your team, and foster a culture of excellence.
Unique Dual Conference Experience
The Leadership Summit is a conference-within-a-conference that includes access to the entire AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2025, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience.
What You’ll Experience
- Dynamic Four-Day Event: Covering specialized and broader healthcare topics led by top minds in perioperative care.
- Comprehensive Education: Access up to 60 contact hours through conference education, posters, Expo Hall education and hands-on workshops, on top of Leadership Summit sessions.
- Interactive Learning: Participate in skill-building exercises designed to enhance your team’s performance and improve patient care outcomes.
- Professional Growth: Connect with mentors, expand your network, and enhance your visibility within the perioperative community.
Get Inspired by Visionary Speakers
The Leadership Summit brings together industry innovators and thought leaders who will inspire you to reach the highest levels possible in perioperative care.
Here’s a preview of this year’s Keynote lineup:
Keynote Speaker: Mike Lee
In the high-pressure world of perioperative nursing, staying focused and composed is key—but that's easier said than done. That's where Mike Lee, a renowned leadership coach and this year's leadership summit keynote speaker, comes in.
With a background in coaching elite athletes and overcoming his own struggles with anxiety and depression, Mike has developed a powerful approach that blends mindfulness, peak performance, and leadership. His work with companies like IBM and Cisco, along with high-performing professionals, makes him the ideal speaker to help perioperative nurses build mental resilience, sharpen focus, and thrive under pressure.
Mike's strategies can help nurses enhance team dynamics, improve patient care, and boost personal well-being in the OR. Don't miss this chance to transform your approach to the demands of perioperative care.
Keynote Speakers: Hannah Spell, Lead for Care & Catherin Washington, Executive Director Children’s National Hospital
Hannah and Catherin founded their company Lead for Care when they observed new nurse managers struggle to rise to the immense challenges that comes with stepping into a leadership role. Through Lead for Care their mission is to inspire and educate ALL nurses and leaders so that no one has to struggle again.
Their session explores the critical role of nurse managers, highlighting their impact on turnover, clinical outcomes, and team satisfaction. Despite the immense influence that nurse managers carry, too many lack formal preparation, leading to high burnout and turnover rates.
This session aims to fix that through intuitive solutions such as microlearning, mentorships, and hands-on applications. Leave this session with a strategy to improve succession planning and measurable outcomes to improve your team.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Teodor Grantcharov
Session: “Disruptive OR technologies to Empower People, Optimize Processes, and Improve Outcomes”
Dr. Teodor Grantcharov is the Founder of Surgical Safety Technologies and the developer of the OR Black Box® platform. A Professor of Surgery and Associate Chief Quality Officer for Innovation and Safety at Stanford Healthcare, Dr. Grantcharov has received numerous national and international awards for his contributions to surgical education and safety.
He has served as the Founder of the International Centre for Surgical Safety and previously held the Canada Research Chair in Simulation and Surgical Safety. With extensive expertise in human factors, healthcare innovation, and clinical research, Dr. Grantcharov continues to advance surgical safety worldwide.
This session aims to fix that through intuitive solutions such as microlearning, mentorships, and hands-on applications. Leave this session with a strategy to improve succession planning and measurable outcomes to improve your team.
What Attendees Are Saying:
Back by Popular Demand: The Ambulatory Track
The Ambulatory Track at Leadership Summit offers a specialized curriculum tailored for leaders in ambulatory surgical centers. With interactive sessions and real-world strategies, this track addresses the unique challenges faced by ambulatory care professionals.
What Makes the Ambulatory Track Unique?
- Stay informed on the latest regulatory changes and compliance best practices.
- Learn strategies to manage fast-paced environments while prioritizing ensuring patient safety.
- Network with other ASC leaders to share solutions and strategies for success.
Networking Opportunities
Build Meaningful Connections
At the Leadership Summit, you’ll find unparalleled networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals who share your dedication to perioperative excellence. From casual coffee breaks to structured roundtable discussions, this event is designed to foster collaboration and relationship-building.
Exclusive Networking Lounge
Take advantage of the Leadership Networking Lounge, an exclusive space to:
- Discuss critical challenges impacting your surgical teams.
- Collaborate with peers to develop actionable solutions.
- Relax and recharge in a supportive environment.
Early Bird Pricing
Register by March 4 to save $100.
Military Discount
Active duty and veteran members receive $50 off registration.
Group Discounts
ASC and facility group members receive $20 off individual rates or $40 off group registrations for three or more attendees.
“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” — Jack Welch
Featured Speakers
Joanne Oliver-Coleman
Nurse Mentor
Joanne has been a leader in legislative advocacy for the protection of perioperative nurses and patients.
Kayla Simiele
Nurse Education Manager
An experienced leader and educator, Kayla has mentored colleagues and implemented quality initiatives.
Ayumi Fielden
Professional Practice Leader and Accredited Provider Program Director
Ayumi’s work elevates nursing practices through evidence-based policies and strategic education.
Teodor Grantcharov
Professor of Surgery and Associate Chief Quality Officer
With extensive expertise in human factors, healthcare innovation, and clinical research, Dr. Grantcharov continues to advance surgical safety worldwide.
Carol Applegeet
System Vice President for Perioperative Services
Carol has held roles as a staff nurse, educator, manager, and director and is the author of numerous articles on perioperative nursing.
Phyllis Quinlan
President
Phyllis Quinlan is a nurse entrepreneur, healthcare consultant, and certified personal and career coach.
Elizabeth Williams
Perioperative Clinical Operations Nurse Manager
With a diverse background including roles as a staff nurse, RNFA, and board charge nurse, Williams currently serves as a clinical operations nurse manager.
Laura Gayton
Director of Outpatient Surgery
An AORN Board Member, Laura has contributed to perioperative leadership and patient engagement initiatives.
Caitlin Smith
Director of Nursing for Perioperative Services
Caitilin is dedicated to improving team engagement and patient care through innovative leadership in the perioperative environment.
Saurabh Kukreti
Director of Perioperative Business Operations
Mr. Kukreti's expertise in strategy and operations drives his commitment to optimizing healthcare delivery and enhancing efficiency across perioperative services.
Marjorie Wall
Leader in Sterile Processing
Marjorie’s career is marked by her innovative approaches to safety and efficiency in sterile processing, leveraging human factors and advanced techniques to improve healthcare outcomes.
