Edith Anderson Leadership Education Grant Recipients
Zeyana Al Ismaili, PhD, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, Miller Fellows (Oman)
Concurrent Session | Adverse Childhood Experiences Impact on Youth: Call for Global and Interprofessional Collaborations
Poster | Improving Middle Eastern Youth Mental Health Access through Global Interprofessional Partnership
Your valuable support helped in disseminating important research findings through both oral and poster presentations, furthering evidence-based practice on a global scale. This opportunity significantly advanced my leadership capacity. It facilitated invaluable connections and collaborative opportunities with nurse leaders from around the world, across the domains of practice, education, research, and policy.
Rayhanah Almutairi (USA)
Concurrent Session | A Systematic Review of Artificial Intelligence and Nursing Education: What do we know?
Attending the Sigma Conference was an incredibly enriching experience. Engaging with professionals from around the world expanded my perspective, deepened my knowledge, and inspired me to continue growing as a researcher and practitioner. This opportunity significantly shaped my skills as an early-career researcher by allowing me to engage with scholars, colleagues, and leaders from around the world.
Nadeen Alshakhshir, PhD, RN (USA)
Poster | Exploring the Lived Experiences of Adolescents with Cancer Using a Timelining Activity
Attending the Sigma International Research Congress was an incredible experience. The event brought together a global community of nurse researchers and leaders, creating an inspiring space for knowledge exchange and professional growth. I had the opportunity to present my research on the lived experiences of adolescents with cancer, connect with experts in the field from across the world, and engage in meaningful conversations that deepened my passion for advancing adolescents health.
Zione Dembo, RN, BSc, MSc (Malawi)
Formal networking sessions, informal meetups, and social gatherings led to rich conversations about emerging public health challenges, implementation research, and strategies for equitable care. These connections have laid the groundwork for potential collaborations, including cross-country mentorships and joint initiatives aimed at strengthening surveillance and vaccination efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. This financial support allowed me to participate fully and focus entirely on engaging with the program without financial strain.
Harroop Kaur, DNP, RN (USA)
Concurrent Session | Asthma Adherence and Self-Management in Pediatrics: A Quality Improvement Project
Throughout the conference, I explored presentations on mentorship, health equity, and emerging technologies in nursing education. Each session expanded my understanding and offered new insights to apply to both teaching and practice. The Foundation Luncheon was particularly memorable. Connecting with Sigma leadership, fellow grant recipients, and scholars from across the globe created a deep sense of community. The experience has strengthened my commitment to leadership, research, and continued growth in nursing.
Nicole Marks, DNP, APRN-FPA, FNP-BC (USA)
Rising Star Poster | Telemedicine for Improving Healthcare Access in Communities
This was an excellent experience both professionally and personally. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to present my poster as a rising star as well as to attend the sessions. I had a wonderful experience and I learned a lot. I got the opportunity to also see many other research project posters and speak with other recent graduates to hear their projects as well which was insightful. The experience of bringing together nurses from all over the world to knowledge share was very impactful and inspiring.
Megan Murphy, DNP, BSN, RN (USA)
As a recent DNP graduate, this experience broadened my perspective on the many paths I can take in my career. Whether it's continuing to implement evidence-based practice, advocating for equitable healthcare, or promoting wellness within my community. The conference helped me recognize the shared challenges nurses face around the world and reminded me of the collective strength and resilience within our profession.
Siriphorn Na nakorn, PhD, RN (Thailand)
Poster | The Efficacy of the Strengths-Based Resilience Intervention Among Thai First-Year Nursing Students
It was truly inspiring to connect with nursing professionals and scholars from around the world, all dedicated to advancing nursing leadership, research, and practice. I especially valued the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches to nursing care in different countries and to explore how we can collaborate to improve global health outcomes. The sessions were insightful, and the strong sense of community among attendees was deeply motivating. This experience has strengthened my passion for nursing and reaffirmed my commitment to contributing to the profession at a global level.
Kylie Newsom, PhD(c), MS, RN, CNE (USA)
Concurrent Session | Resilience in Health Science Education: An Integrative Review
What stood out most was the sense of community and support among attendees. The experience left me deeply inspired and reaffirmed the power of global nursing scholarship to drive meaningful change. I carry forward the connections, insights, and motivation gained from this Congress as I continue to grow in my professional journey.
Jenna Poraharju, MHSc, RN (Finland)
PechaKucha | Integrating Social Determinants of Health into Clinical Practice
Participating in the Sigma conference for the first time was an invaluable experience. The event offered a rich platform to engage with experts and peers, exposing me to the latest research trends and diverse perspectives. The supportive and inclusive atmosphere fostered open dialogue and reflection, significantly enhancing my growth and confidence as an early-stage researcher focusing on social prescribing in patient education.
Marin Strong, MS, BSN, RN (USA)
Concurrent Session | A feminist analysis of Kenyan women’s use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis during pregnancy
At a time when it is so easy to lose hope geopolitically and socially on the state and future of science at large, and specifically nursing science, Congress came at the perfect time to reinvigorate my passion and dedication to nursing science and reinspire me to stay committed to nursing excellence personally and globally. It was a fantastic series of events, networking opportunities, rigorous, passionate research, and FUN! The whole Sigma team and all the Congress attendees were kind, curious, and supportive of each other's work, fostering an environment of inclusion and trust that enhanced the conversations had and connections made.
Dr. Doris J. Froebe Leadership Education Grant Recipients
Lai Ka Wing, MSc, BSc, RN (Hong Kong)
Poster | Development of a Prone CPR Protocol
Receiving this grant enabled me to take full advantage of this opportunity. It allowed me to present my findings to an international audience, expanding my professional network and providing the chance to learn from colleagues worldwide. This exposure connected me with researchers and clinicians from around the world, opening the door to potential future collaborations. It was my first time attending an international congress, the four-day event deeply inspired me a lot. I was impressed by the high standard of research, innovation, and collaboration showcased throughout the event. Overall, this congress was a valuable opportunity that strengthened my commitment to advancing evidence-based nursing practice.
Delta Theta Leadership Education Grant Recipient
Dinah Koranteng, PhD(c), MPH, RN, PGDE (Ghana)
Poster | "It is not easy": The Psychosocial Distress of Ghanaian Adults Living with Chronic Blood Cancers
The conference was very insightful, an eye opener to new evidence and trends in nursing education, research, and practices. It has also improved my skills and knowledge on health policies. The conference also gave me an opportunity to share and receive feedback on my research project, as well as networking. I feel privileged to have met great people in nursing like Dr. Sandra Bibb, Dr. Ellen Palmer and the CEO of Sigma on a personal level. I feel inspired and empowered to move to my next level in the nursing profession.