National Leaders Unite in Downtown D.C. to Elevate the Nursing Profession and Improve Health Outcomes Nationwide
American Nurses Enterprise hosts the 2026 Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit
SILVER SPRING, MD –From February 12–14, the American Nurses Enterprise (ANE) will convene some of the nation’s most bold and influential voices at the 2026 Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C. Nurse leaders, innovators, policymakers, and acclaimed authors will come together to advance bold ideas and practical solutions that accelerate progress in the nursing profession and strengthen health outcomes for all. Maryland Governor Wes Moore will also receive the American Nurses Foundation’s (ANF) inaugural Health Equity Legacy Award during the summit.
The Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit is designed to strengthen leadership pathways and improve health outcomes for all. The Summit will focus on building a stronger and more resilient healthcare workforce while fostering cross-industry collaboration to drive meaningful, collective change. This year’s summit is focused on purpose and action by engaging attendees in bold strategies that demonstrate impact.
“This year, we are building upon the momentum launched at the inaugural nursing summit, reflecting on our commitment that this event is more than just a convening of some of the greatest minds in healthcare, government and business, it’s a call to action. By bringing together bold leaders across sectors, we are accelerating solutions that drive lasting change designed to transform opportunity into measurable impact for the profession and the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association (ANA).
A combination of dynamic policy and workforce conversations on timely topics, interactive learning sessions, and engaging plenaries formatted for producing meaningful outcomes are all intended to spur actionable solutions. There will also be several discussions led by prominent authors as well as book a signing by bestselling author, Lilly Zheng. Other event highlights include:
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore Health Equity Legacy Award presentation:
ANE Chief Executive Officer, Angela Beddoe, will be presenting the Health Equity Legacy Award to Maryland Governor Wes Moore honored for passing House Bill 783 that requires nurses and other healthcare professionals to complete implicit bias and structural racism training. - "When the Road became the Delivery Room: A Maternal Health Impact Story”, featuring Merecedes Wells: The expectant mother from Illinois who gained national attention when she was discharged in active labor and delivered her baby roadside with her husband. Wells will be sharing her story from a patient-centered perspective in navigating healthcare access.
- Theatrical performance of “A REFUTATION”: Theater of War Productions presents historic accounts of Philadelphia’s 1793 yellow fever epidemic as a catalyst for guided audience discussions about health inequities in America today, grounded in the perspectives of nurses, caregivers, and first responders. Performed by acclaimed actors – Frankie Faison (The Wire, Coming to America, The Rookie), Arliss Howard (Full Metal Jacket, Moneyball, The Lost World: Jurassic Park), and Eric Berryman (Atlanta, A Complete Unknown, Godfather of Harlem).
- Health Equity Awards Ceremony: The American Nurses Foundation (ANF), with support from national nursing partners, is proud to launch the ANF Health Equity Awards — recognizing nurses who champion health equity in each of the five categories of practice, research, education, and leadership. In addition to the award, recipients will receive $1,000 cash prize.
- Health Equity Global Impact Award: ANA president presenting the award to Agnes Nambozo – The nurse in Uganda who climbed a 1,000 ft. ladder with life-saving vaccines strapped to her back.
- Special musical performance by Tad Worku: Tad Worku is a nurse practitioner, renowned musician and son of immigrant parents who uses music to enhance his storytelling and illustrate what the nursing profession needs now.
To learn more about the 2026 Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit to advance the nursing profession and improve healthcare for all please visit: 2026 Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit | American Nurses Enterprise.
A Special Thank You to All of the 2026 sponsors of the Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit:
Leadership Tier: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Nurses Foundation. Platinum Tier: B. Braun Medical Inc., Chamberlain University, Medtronic. Gold Tier: ANA\California and the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Nursing. Bronze Tier: Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN), American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN), American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), AVA Consulting Group, LLC, Bentil Healthcare Consulting, Black Nurse Collaborative, Inc. (BNC), Catalyst Learning, The\Clinician eXchange, DNPs of Color, Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), Health Transformers, Inc., Howard University School of Nursing, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc., Latinas in Nursing, National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA), National Black Nurses Association Inc (NBNA), National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA), NurseHub, and ThriveLink. American Nurses Foundation Health Equity Awards sponsors: American Nurses Foundation/ANF Health Equity Awards, American Academy of Nursing/ANF Health Equity Researcher Award, American Association of Colleges of Nursing/ANF Health Educator Award, National League for Nursing/ANF Health Equity Rising Star Award. Session Sponsors: National Black Nurses Association Inc./Opening Plenary Session. Scholarship sponsors: Kimberley Ennis Foundation, Dr. Khalil Demonbreun, and Dr. Simmy King.
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About the American Nurses Enterprise
The American Nurses Enterprise champions nurses by harnessing The Power of Nurses™ to drive transformation and innovation across the healthcare landscape. As the unifying force behind three foundational pillars—the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation—the enterprise sets the professional standards that empower nurse-led innovation, advocacy, and research. By uniting these core organizations, the enterprise advances the nursing profession and shapes a healthier future for communities nationwide and around the globe.