Learn from leadership experts who map out clear strategies for success

Network with a community of like-minded leadership professionals to share best practices and challenges

Stay at the forefront of industry trends, products and services

Registration for the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum is now closed as we have exceeded capacity. 

Registration for the 2025 NICU Leadership Forum will open in December 2024.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

WHAT OUR NURSE LEADERS

Have To Say!

“For me the biggest takeaway was realizing I was not alone. Everyone in leadership always seemed so together and confident but through multiple sessions I learned everyone felt insecure at some point. Knowing that they had overcome gave me the confidence to continue forward and evolve into a better leader.”

“I have been coming to Synova conferences for 20 years. When I first started to come, I was a really young leader.  I don’t even know if I considered myself a leader and I grew so much as a leader during those y ears and I have to credit so much of that to the Synova conferences.”

“Sometimes as a leader you have to dig really deep to support your team and I really believe that the NICU Leadership Forum and the mentors I have gained through this community have made me a better leader. Even though it’s hard right now we have to keep growing together.”

“The forum of people is such a great group that I have gotten to know over the years that gives you an incredible amount of support not just at the conference but all year long.”

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Reimagine, Engage, Advocate, and Lead with Love

In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the need for nurse leaders to be authentic has never been more vital. As we embrace the unique attributes of our workforce, integrate innovative technologies, and navigate complex healthcare systems, the need for compassionate, visionary, and strong nurse leaders is paramount. Join us at the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum, where we will gather nurse leaders from across the globe to inspire, empower, and BE REAL.

At the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum, we will:

  • Reimagine our “Dream Teams” as formal and informal leaders by setting expectations and following through with accountability
  • Engage and improve communication between the four generations currently in the workforce
  • Advocate for your team by learning actionable solutions for unit leaders to retain staff while addressing inequities
  • Lead with Love to enhance decision-making, team dynamics, and patient outcomes

Registration for the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum is now closed. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Call For Abstracts

Are you interested in submitting an abstract for a poster?

Are you interested in submitting an abstract for a 60 or 20 minute speaking spot, or poster?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

2024 NICU LEADERSHIP FORUM

Speaker Lineup

Keynote Speaker

Megan Johnson

Speaker | Author | Generational Humorist

Zap the Generational Gap!
Transforming, Recruiting, Retaining, and Engaging Multi-Generational Teams

Having a generational misunderstanding is nothing new. Many of us have walked away from a multi-generational interaction with less than stellar results. Combined with conflicting generational information and blatant generational stereotypes, it can be a challenge to forge a new path with the multi-generational people in our lives.

The truth is, the workforce, and possibly your household, spans across five generations. It can be a struggle to find the right balance between the sometimes conflicting needs of each generation.

There is no denying the pandemic upended many lives and drastically altered the workplace landscape. What did not change was humanity’s desire to connect and improve upon what has come before them. Recognizing and embracing generational diversity not only makes us empathetic to others but enables us to achieve what was previously believed unattainable.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAAN, CSP

CEO & Founder, Healthy Workforce Institute

Cultivating a Healthy Workforce by Addressing Disruptive Behaviors: Strategies for NICU Leaders

Sue Ludwig, OTR/L, CNT

President, National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT)

Harnessing Intention and Alignment for Effective Leadership Momentum

Joan Halpern, MS, RNC-NIC, NNP, NEA-BC

Joan Halpern, MS, RNC-NIC, NNP, NEA-BC

Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center

Managing Your Team While Building Trust and Engagement: It’s All About Collaboration

Aaron Kranich, JD

Vice President of Human Resources, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital

Managing Your Team While Building Trust and Engagement: It’s All About Collaboration

Shawana, Burnette, DNP, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, CLNC, FAWHONN

Nursing Practice Specialist, Atrium Health

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find Out What it Means to EVERYONE

Dominic Cottone, MS

Senior Managing Director, Ferguson Partners

Real Boundaries for the Real You

Lesley Jean Almonte

CEO, Moonshine Creative Group

Shine to Align! The Key to a Connected and Collaborative Workplace

FEATURED PANEL

Growing Pains and Possibilities: A Case Study in Leadership Team Growth

Children’s Hospital Colorado

Kirtley Ceballos, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Director, Patient Care Services, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Alexandra Hamby, MSN

Clinical Manager, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Sarah Velasco, DNP, FNP-C, RNC-NIC

Clinical Practice Specialist, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Sonya Wyman, BSN, RNC-NIC

Associate Clinical Manager, Children’s Hospital Colorado

2024 NICU LEADERSHIP FORUM

Pre-Conference Events

New Leader Bootcamp (FULL DAY)

Whether you are new to leadership or just need fresh inspiration on your leadership journey, this course is for you! This dynamic and interactive pre-conference will include practical ways to grow your leadership abilities. We will explore the fundamental elements of leading processes and leading people—because strong leaders must do both! Session topics include budget and finance, regulatory compliance, core measures, leadership presence, emotional intelligence, and managing differences among team members. You don’t want to miss this one!

Faculty:

Bobbie Smith, MSN, RN, Labor & Delivery/Fetal Surgery Center Manager, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Kristi Wilkerson, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Education Program Manager, Synova Associates

Registration for the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum is now closed. 

Email Melissa Gehl at mgehl@synovaassociates.com to be added to a waitlist for the event.

Click Here To Register

Quality & Safety: A Workshop to Design and Execute Your QI Projects (HALF DAY PM)

In this pre-conference, you will learn the guidelines for quality and safety as they relate to the new AAP NICU Verification Program. You will also delve into updates on nursing economics, quality and safety, staffing, operational decision-making, and strategies to make the case to leadership to get what you need. Case studies, breakout discussions, and role-play activities will hone your formal or informal nurse leader skills.

Faculty:

Pattie Bondurant, DNP, RN, Chief Transformation and Quality Officer, TransForm Healthcare Consulting

Registration for the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum is now closed. 

Click Here To Register

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR

Brochure & Agenda

Brochure

Take a look at our NICU Leadership Forum brochure for an overview of the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum Event.

LEARN MORE

Agenda

Our agenda is ever expanding. Take a look to see what we’ll be talking about at this year’s event.

View the Agenda!

2024 NICU LEADERSHIP FORUM

Rates

MAIN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

$799 USD Early Bird Registration (Ending January 26, 2024)
$899 USD Regular Registration
$949 USD Late Registration (After March 8, 2024, if Available)

PRE-CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

New Leader Bootcamp (Full Day) – $315

Quality & Safety: A Workshop to Design and Execute Your QI Projects (Half Day, PM) – $175

Registration for the 2024 NICU Leadership Forum is now closed. 

Click Here To Register

Cancellation Policy

two women smiling for the camera

APPLY FOR A

Conference Scholarship

Synova will be granting tuition scholarship for NICU nurse leaders to attend the 2024 Neonatal Leadership Forum. Scholarship application deadline is November 15th. Notifications will sent in early December. If accepted, you commit to attend the event.

[THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED]

APPLY NOW!

2024 NICU LEADERSHIP FORUM

Conference Details

  • Who Should Attend?

    • NICU Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and members of their leadership teams
    • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Supervisors
    • Executive Directors of Women’s Services

  • When & Where

    2024 NICU Leadership Forum will be held at the Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor, FL, April 14th – 18th. Pre-Conferences are on April 14th and the General Sessions will run April 15 – 18, 2024.

  • Program Changes

    Synova reserves the right to make necessary changes in speakers, topics, or schedule. The most up-to-date agenda is online.

  • ACCREDITATION

    The NICU Leadership Forum will be awarded contact hours depending on the length of the program through Abbott Nutrition Health Institute. The pre-conferences will be awarded contact hours depending on the length of the program.

  • TRAVEL

    HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

    The 2024 NICU Leadership Forum will be held at the Sunseeker Resort.

    Sunseeker Resort
    5500 Sunseeker Way
    Charlotte Harbor, FL

    At Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, escape to an endlessly entertaining, totally relaxing waterfront destination where life is so simple — and simply amazing. Stay and play here. Eat and drink here. Meet and greet here. Feel like a pampered guest whether you stay at our hotel or in one of our signature Sunsuites™.

    Conference room rates (resort fee is waived):

    • Standard room: $229
    • One bedroom/one bathroom suite: $259
    • Two bedroom/two bathroom suite: $289
    • Three bedroom/two bathroom suite: $339

    Book now at https://book.passkey.com/go/Synova24

    Reservations must be made prior to March 21, 2024; rooms will be available as space allows. The normal daily resort service charge is complimentary for this event. Should you need to cancel your reservation, please ensure that you do so at least 72 hours prior to arrival to prevent a cancellation fee of one night’s room and tax.

    AIR & GROUND TRANSPORTATION

    RSW Southwest Florida International Airport is the closest airport to the conference center. Super shuttle, rental cars, taxis and Ubers are available.

  • LIABILITY WAIVER

    Review the Participant Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnification Agreement here.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE VENUE:

Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor, FL