How Attending a Neonatal Nurse Leaders Conference Transformed My Perspective
By: Anne Cormier DNP RN, Nursing Director, Newborn ICU, Massachusetts General for Children
As a nurse with 22 years of leadership experience, I thought I had seen it all. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to lead teams, mentor new nurses, and contribute to the field in meaningful ways. But when I was awarded a scholarship by Atom Medical to attend a neonatal nurse leaders conference, I had no idea how much it would impact my life—both professionally and personally.
The Opportunity I Didn’t Expect
I’ve attended various conferences throughout my career, but this one felt different from the moment I was awarded the scholarship. While I was grateful for the opportunity, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I thought I’d attend, connect with another nurse leader I hadn’t seen in a while and learn a few new things, then return to my regular duties. Little did I know, this experience would completely shift my perspective on leadership, care, and change how I saw my own leadership strengths.
The Power of Community and Shared Vision
One of the most profound aspects of being at a Synova event was the sense of community. Being surrounded by passionate neonatal nurses—people whose focus is on providing life-saving care to some of the most vulnerable patients—was humbling. Their dedication and advocacy for neonatal health inspired me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I realized that, despite the years of leadership experience I had, there was always more to learn, more ways to connect, and more ways to lead with empathy. For example, I attended a session on fostering a Culture of Safety Through Adverse Event Reporting. This session highlighted the importance of transparency and open communication in healthcare settings, especially in neonatal care where the stakes are incredibly high. The speaker emphasized that reporting adverse events is not about assigning blame but rather about learning and improving our practices to prevent future incidents.
My key takeaways included the need to create a non-punitive environment where staff feel safe to report errors or near misses without fear of retribution. This approach encourages collective problem-solving and promotes a culture of continuous improvement. I also learned about specific strategies, such as regular debriefing sessions and implementing feedback loops, that can help integrate these practices into daily routines.
This session deepened my understanding of how crucial a safety culture is in leadership. It reinspired me to continue to advocate for similar practices in my own organization, emphasizing that fostering a supportive environment can lead to better outcomes for both staff and patients.” I am currently now enrolled in the Synova Advanced Nurse Leadership Certification and I am excited to hear from the experts like Pattie Bondurant on new approaches to quality and safety.
Lessons in Leadership and Collaboration
Throughout the sessions, I found myself reflecting on my own leadership journey. It became clear that leading in healthcare, especially in a field as delicate as neonatal care, requires a different kind of strength—a balance of clinical expertise and emotional intelligence. This insight was reinforced by discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration, crisis management in the NICU, and innovative approaches to patient and family care.
A pivotal moment for me was meeting Diane Rogers, a coach, consultant and Synova executive board member whose mission is to inspire individuals and organizations to harness their strengths. The universe truly provides, as Diane has been the inspiring leader I needed in my life. Her impact has been life-altering; from our very first conversation, she opened my eyes to the meaningful moments and interactions happening all around me. With her encouragement and coaching over the past six months, I’ve learned to appreciate the world of magnificence that unfolds when we take the time to truly see and engage with others. Diane embodies the principles of Leading Hartfully, reminding me that leadership is not just about results but also about connection and presence.
These lessons reignited a passion in me for continuous growth, not just as a nurse leader, but as a lifelong learner. The conference pushed me to reconsider how I could implement new strategies within my own teams, whether that involved mentoring others, improving patient outcomes, or creating a more supportive work environment.
Anne Cormier and Steve Ameis, Director of Sales and Marketing, Atom Medical USA
A Life-Changing Experience
Walking into that conference, I never expected it to be such a turning point in my career. Atom Medical is the company that graciously gave me this scholarship and I know that for them they see it as an investment in the NICU nurse community but for me…it was an awakening. The knowledge I gained, the connections I forged, and the inspiration I found in the community of passionate neonatal nurses leaders reshaped my perspective on leadership and collaboration. I left the conference with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with practical tools and strategies to implement in my practice. Most importantly, I realized the power of shared vision and the importance of fostering a supportive environment. This experience has not only reinvigorated my commitment to neonatal care but has also propelled me to become a more empathetic and effective leader, committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of my patients and colleagues.
This journey has reminded me that we, as nurses and leaders, have the power to continually transform not only our practice but also the lives we touch every day. I recently had a call with Diane Rogers, Lori Gunther CEO of Synova and Josh Kamody President of Atom Medical trying express how life changing this was for me as a nurse leader but also as a person. I kept saying I am so grateful but what I really wanted to say what that the kindness and intention from these three companies and individuals will impact more than just one person. It will impact my staff, the patients and how I move through the next few years as a leader.
