Masterminds in Health Care: Answering Our Calling to Care
How mentorship sparks breakthroughs in health care
Attend an afternoon of TED-style talks featuring four College of Nursing faculty members whose research spans the health care continuum. Each speaker will share their unique area of research and reflect on the mentorship experiences that shaped their scholarly journey. Together, these conversations highlight how guidance, collaboration and shared discovery drive innovation across generations of health care leaders.
One continuing education contact hour will be offered. Lunch is provided for on-campus attendees.
Tuesday, April 14
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Longaberger Alumni House, Sanders Grand Lounge
2200 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43210
$10 per person
The event will feature:
Rita Pickler, PhD, RN, FAAN
Rita Pickler is the FloAnn Sours Easton Professor of Child and Adolescent Health and a nationally recognized leader in neonatal and pediatric nursing research. With more than 30 years of experience and continuous NIH funding since 2001, her work has advanced understanding of preterm infant care, neurobehavioral outcomes and family well-being. Her current research focuses on improving parent presence and participation in NICU care. A dedicated mentor and educator, Pickler teaches PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. Her honors include induction into the American Academy of Nursing, the Sigma Theta Tau International Researcher Hall of Fame and multiple lifetime achievement awards.
McKenzie K. Jancsura, PhD, RN
McKenzie Jancsura is an assistant professor whose research focuses on improving maternal health, particularly through understanding immunological pathways involved in preeclampsia. Her work examines cytokines, DNA methylation and behavioral factors such as diet, physical activity and stress to develop predictive tools and interventions that reduce pregnancy complications. Supported by NIH and national awards, her research aims to improve outcomes for mothers and babies. Jancsura teaches across undergraduate programs and brings clinical experience in labor and delivery, postpartum care, well-woman care and community health. She completed postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh, earned her PhD from Case Western Reserve University, and holds BSN and BA degrees from the University of Iowa.
Shannon L. Gillespie, PhD, RN, FAAN
Shannon L. Gillespie is an associate professor known for her work in maternal-infant health through the lens of translational psychoneuroimmunology. Combining two decades of research experience with clinical insight, she develops immune-monitoring methods to better predict and prevent complications during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She leads multiple NIH-funded studies, has filed patents for her approaches and consults with interdisciplinary research teams. A committed mentor, Gillespie inspires students across disciplines to address complex health challenges. She holds a BA from Ohio University and MS and PhD degrees in nursing from The Ohio State University.
Marliese Nist, PhD, RNC-NIC
Marliese Nist is an assistant professor whose research focuses on improving neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants by reducing the harmful effects of stress in the neonatal intensive care unit. Her work integrates laboratory science with clinical research to understand the biological and physiological impacts of stress on premature infants and to design interventions that support long-term health. Nist’s career includes a decade of NICU nursing followed by doctoral training at The Ohio State University. She has earned multiple honors for her scholarship, including awards for outstanding research and dissertation work, and continues to advance knowledge through funded studies.
Register to attend in person by Monday, March 31, at 5 p.m. ET.
If you can't attend in person, register for the virtual option.
Prefer to register by phone? Call the Alumni Association Customer Service Line at 800-762-5646 or 614-292-2281.