The 2013 Rosenthal Lecture: “Back to the Future of Nursing: A Look Ahead Based on a Landmark IOM Report”
On Wednesday, December 11, 2013 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) held the 25th Richard & Hinda Rosenthal Lecture in Washington, DC. This year’s lecture celebrated the three-year anniversary of the IOM’s The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report, which was released on October 5, 2010. During the event, speakers highlighted the impact of the report through implementation of recommendations at both the national and local level, discussed the continued work of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, and charted future directions and priorities for the nursing profession. The event was attended by 225 people in-person and was webcast to a live audience of 560 viewers. Many groups around the country hosted viewing parties of the webcast, including several Action Coalitions.
The keynote of the lecture was delivered by Donna Shalala, Ph.D., FAAN, President of the University of Miami and Chair of the Committee on the RWJF Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the IOM. Dr. Shalala discussed the impact of the IOM report on transforming health care and the steps that have already been taken to meet each of the eight recommendations set forth by the report. While discussing the importance of removing antiquated barriers to care, she said, “Nurses and other health care professionals able to perform to the top of their education and training. There are no buts about it.” She also discussed the importance of having nurses on medical boards. “You cannot make good policy decisions unless the stakeholders are properly reflected,” she said.
Shalala’s keynote address was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg, president of the IOM. The panel was comprised of Dr. Carmen Alvarez from George Washington University, Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Sue Hassmiller from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, Dr. Darrell Kirch from the Association of American Medical Colleges, and Dr. David Vlahov from the University of California, San Francisco. Each panelist delivered opening comments on the importance of the report to the field and how the report affects their work. Once each panelist gave their introductory remarks, Dr. Fineberg facilitated a question and answer session. Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, then gave closing comments in a pre-taped video message. The lecture was followed by a reception in the Great Hall. To celebrate the event, the IOM also released a new The Future of Nursing infographic.