Nursing Talk to Focus on Post-Pandemic Workforce Growth and Relevance
Nursing leaders from across the region will descend upon the MGH Institute of Health Professions on May 2 when the School of Nursing holds its first in-person thought leadership event since the pandemic began.
The annual Natalie Petzold Endowed Lecture, "Through the Mask, Through the Pandemic and Towards a New Workforce: Post-Traumatic Growth and Keeping Well-Being Relevant," will be delivered by Tim Cunningham, RN, DrPH, MSN, FAAN, Co-Chief Well-Being Officer and Vice-President of Practice and Innovation at Emory Healthcare. It will take place at Noon at 1 Constitution Wharf on the school's Charlestown Navy Yard campus.
“I think the topic of Dr. Cunningham’s presentation will resonate in a huge way,” said Dr. Ken White, Dean of the School of Nursing. “I think many in the nursing community across the country have been stretched to the max through the pandemic and the workforce shortages. This is a very good opportunity to listen to someone whose specialty is wellness and self-care.”
The endowed lecture series is named for Natalie Petzold, the Lawrence native who attended the Massachusetts General Hospital’s former School of Nursing and became a leader in nursing education and nursing operations, which included being its last director. After overseeing its closing in 1981, she became the MGH Institute’s first director of student services and welcomed the first cohort of master’s students in 1982.
“Miss Petzold left a legacy in this lectureship,” said White. “I think it’s a great testimony to her commitment to nursing, to Mass General Hospital, and to the IHP.”
The annual lecture, which was not held during the pandemic, is returning with an in-person gathering that’s attracting high-level representatives from Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, McLean Hospital, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, MGH Nurses’ Alumni Association, and nursing programs such as Boston College.
Cunningham is known internationally for his expertise in resilience and self-care. He holds a joint appointment as adjunct Associate Professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory Healthcare and serves as Vice President of Practice and Innovation for Emory Healthcare. He collaborates with interprofessional teams to support structural and systemic well-being change for healthcare staff and professionals, university staff and faculty, researchers, learners, and community members.
White says the Petzold Endowed Lecture will serve three purposes: attract the very best thought leadership, increase the awareness of the Institute’s School of Nursing and its programs, and give back to the nursing and healthcare community. "Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet some new people in this post-pandemic time,” said White. “We’re just happy to be in-person once again.”
