2026 Fall Chief Nursing Officer Congress

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix AZ
November 15th
- 17th
2026

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About The Program

The Fall CNO Congress is where Chief Nursing Officers and senior nursing executives come to solve the challenges reshaping modern healthcare—from workforce burnout and staffing shortages to AI integration, patient experience, and operational transformation.

This invitation-only experience is built for meaningful conversations between healthcare leaders and the partners helping hospitals improve clinical operations, strengthen workforce retention, and drive better patient outcomes. Through curated one-on-one meetings, executive networking, and strategic content, attendees build relationships, exchange actionable ideas, and accelerate decisions that move healthcare forward.

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4 out of 5 delegates said this is the best event they’ve attended all year

Topics Of Discussion

Join Jonathan L. Manis, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Christus Health, as he challenges us to reimagine the future in Brave New World: The Future DEMANDS Different! Manis will delve into the transformative role of available and evolving healthcare technology and the mindset we need to adopt for a modern, consumer-centric healthcare delivery model. Discover how a new perspective of healthcare delivery can revolutionize patient care and shape the future of our industry. This session is a must-attend for healthcare leaders and innovators seeking valuable insights and perspectives.

Healthcare organizations continue to face persistent staffing shortages and high turnover, challenging their ability to deliver consistent, high-quality care. This session will explore forward-thinking staffing models and retention strategies that go beyond traditional approaches. Attendees will learn how to build a resilient workforce by aligning staffing structures with employee needs, career growth, and organizational goals. Leaders will leave with actionable ideas to strengthen team stability and foster long-term workforce sustainability.

As healthcare demands grow more complex, many new nurses are entering the workforce underprepared for the realities of practice. This session will examine the readiness gap and explore strategies to better support early-career nurses through academic partnerships, transition programs, and on-the-job training. Participants will learn how to strengthen the nursing pipeline by building bridges between education and practice. The discussion will focus on practical steps to ensure new nurses are confident, competent, and ready to thrive from day one.

Agentic AI offers nurses the ability to reclaim time, restore trust, and lead meaningful transformation in care delivery. When implemented with intention, these tools can reduce burnout by addressing time-consuming responsibilities and variability like daily education, rounding, regulatory compliance and transitional care. Rather than replacing clinical judgment, agentic AI enhances it—helping nurses stay focused, present, and better at bedside. Designed as a collaborative discussion, this presentation invites nursing professionals to explore how they can shape the future of AI in healthcare, not be shaped by it.

A healthy, supported nursing workforce is essential to delivering safe, high-quality care. This session will spotlight the direct link between employee health, job satisfaction, and retention, offering strategies to embed wellbeing into the core of organizational culture. From mental health resources to workload redesign, leaders will explore holistic approaches that prioritize the needs of their staff. Participants will gain actionable insights to help foster a culture of care that supports long-term engagement and resilience.

Advisory Board

We are proud to introduce our National Chief Nursing Officer Advisory Board of seven leading healthcare industry experts. This collaborative group provides insights, session suggestions, and overall feedback on opportunities for constant growth at our events.

Robert Rose
Market Chief Nurse Executive,
Atrium Health, North Carolina
Dr. Grace Dengler
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer,
Rochester Regional Health System, New York
Michele Szkolnicki
Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer,
Penn State Health, Pennsylvania
Dr. Christi Nguyen
Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Nursing Excellence,
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas
Dr. Diane Drexler
Vice President of Patient Care & Chief Nursing Officer,
Community Memorial Health System, California
April Gaines
Chief Nursing Officer,
Bryan Health - Crete Area Medical Center, Nebraska

Current & Past Speakers

A dynamic roster of thought leaders who contribute valuable insights and expertise, sharing cutting-edge research, industry trends, and innovative ideas that can drive progress and inspire their industry peers. 

Their presentations and discussions foster networking opportunities, facilitate knowledge exchange, and help shape the future direction of their respective field.

Kerri Baxter
Regional Chief Nursing Officer & Acting CEO,
Veterans Health Administration - VISN 9, Tennessee
Kodi Craft
Vice President of Nursing Operations,
University Medical Center New Orleans, Louisiana
Selina Dallas
Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Operating Officer,
Ascension, Wisconsin
Margarita De La Fuente
Associate Vice President for Quality, Practice, and Education,
Duke University Health System, North Carolina
Dr. Grace Dengler
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer,
Rochester Regional Health System, New York
Dorothy Foglia
Chief Nursing Officer,
Texas Health Hospital Frisco, Texas
Kari Koehler
Chief Nursing Officer,
St. Peter's Health, Montana
Esteen Ladson Barnes
Chief Nursing Officer of Harlem Hospital,
NYC Health and Hospitals, New York
Cody Legler
Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer,
Maimonides Health, New York

The Schedule

10:00 am - 5:30 pm

Event Registration

12:10 pm - 1:10 pm

Opening Panel

1:30 pm - 3:20 pm

Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings

2:35 pm - 2:50 pm

Afternoon Refreshments & Networking

3:25 pm - 5:45 pm

Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings/Roundtables Discussions/Workshops

5:45 pm - 6:30 pm

Free Time

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Welcome Reception & Dinner

7:15 am - 8:00 am

Networking Breakfast

8:05 am - 8:55am

Morning Panel Session

9:05 am - 10:10 am

Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings

10:10 am - 10:25 am

Morning Refreshments & Networking

10:25 am - 11:30 am

Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings

11:40 am - 12:25 pm

Roundtable Discussions

12:30 pm - 1:25 pm

Networking Luncheon

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Workshops/Business Meetings

3:30 pm - 3:45 pm

Afternoon Refreshments & Networking

3:45 pm - 4:50 pm

Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings

4:55 pm - 5:40 pm

Closing Workshop

5:40 pm - 6:30 pm

Free Time

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Networking Reception & Dinner

8:00 am - 8:15 am

Morning Refreshments

8:20 am - 9:05 am

Roundtables

9:05 am - 9:55 am

Brunch

10:00 am - 11:05 am

Strategy Sessions/Business Meetings/Free Time

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Closing Workshop

If you have access to the full schedule, click here. Otherwise, click here to get access.

Become a Partner

Delegate Testimonials

Kevin Garner
LewisGale Hospital Pulaski

Has been great meeting with other leaders and talking about solutions to challenging and vexing issues. Integrating with vendors has been pleasant and not overpowering.

 

Velma Johnson
New Orleans East Hospital

It was very organized. I loved the app and structure. It was genius to have all 3 congresses simultaneously, giving us a chance to network during intervals.

 

Evelyn Ngwa
Division of Behavioral Health Dep of Health NJ

This was an exceptional opportunity for growth for me and a terrific experience. I love it. I will keep coming as long as Bridgemark has this CNO/CIO conference.

 

Daniel Wright
Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s

It was wonderful meeting different nursing executives throughout the country and spend intimate time with them. Often, many conferences are so large it’s hard to really network and get to know others. This was perfect size and content.

 

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