Join our Facebook group

Recommendations, Testimonials

The Truth About Nursing's Executive Director Sandy Summers has spoken internationally to dozens of nursing organizations, schools and hospitals. Below are select references from her presentations.

Widener University, Graduation speech

May 16, 2019

I highly recommend inviting Sandy Summers to share the work of The Truth About Nursing with your organization. Sandy brings a powerful message and a call to action for nurses to advocate for the profession. Sandy was the invited guest speaker for our Nightingale Ceremony (nursing graduation). She reminded us of the history of nursing and the contributions nurses make to supporting public health and the wellbeing of our communities. Students left feeling empowered to step into their new role, inspired by the work of nurses and the significance of their choice to join the profession.

Brenda KucirkaFor nurses in the audience and faculty, she reminded us of why we chose nursing as a profession and the imperative we have to shape the profession as she shared the "Truth About Nursing". Feedback from students, guests and faculty was very positive. It was essential information for our new graduates as they transition to practice. Sandy is an excellent speaker who delivers a message that all nurses would benefit from hearing. Her call to action is the antidote to anyone who is feeling disillusioned about our profession or just needs a reminder of just how much power we have.

Brenda Kucirka PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, CNE
Assistant Professor, Widener University School of Nursing

UCLA
Symposium on Media Images & Screen Representations of Nurses
Keynote Speaker

Los Angeles, California

May 12, 2011

We have received a great deal of positive feedback from those in attendance at the May 12th conference, signaling a wonderful increase of interest in the topic. Part of the reason that this event was so successful was your presentation, your input, and your presence at the symposium.

Therefore, I want to specifically express my gratitude for all that you did to help create this inaugural event, Sandy. No doubt we made history on May 12 at UCLA as we brought together film scholars, film makers, media scholars, as well as leaders, practitioners, activists, researchers, and scholars from nursing, to focus specifically on the issue of nurses and the media. It was absolutely fantastic to watch you bring the audience to the height of attention through your analysis of depictions of nurses on television, film, and media advertisements. The media clips you chose were extremely effective. Your careful analysis and critique of the various ways that television shows depicted nurses brought new insight to an audience that was hungry to learn. It is easy to see that your devoted scholarship on these issues has produced new knowledge; your work is timely and important. The entirety of your presentation on May 12th gave perspective to the overall situation of the impact of these images in the US and internationally. This is a valuable contribution to our understanding and a novel point reflecting your unique scholarship related to these issues. Indeed, it was our honor to be able to hear your ideas first hand on May 12th. I know that many attendees lined up to talk to you throughout the day and we are so glad that you took the time to entertain their questions and comments. Many thanks!

On behalf of Dean Courtney Lyder and the UCLA School of Nursing, I would like to thank you for the crucial role you played at our inaugural UCLA conference, "Media Images and Screen Representations and of Nurses. Marysue Heilemann

Thank you for making this a priority, for not only putting your fine mind into preparation for our event but your heart and soul as well, and for following through with a fantastic presentation, from start to finish!"

MarySue V. Heilemann, RN, PhD
Associate Professor
University of California at Los Angeles
email
Full letter at: bit.ly/heilemann-reference

DePaul University

Guest lecture

May 15, 2015

Sandy Summers was our speaker at DePaul University for Nurses Week. We have been in communication for years, and she is a phenomenal asset to the discipline of nursing.

Sandy's presentation was earlier tonight, followed by a congenial dinner with colleagues in which we discussed everything under the sun. The students who witnessed Sandy's presentation -- master's entry to practice students in Chicago and generally pretty sophisticated -- were enthralled, and they were clearly learning things they had not previously considered about perceptions of nursing and our place in the world. I don't think anyone else is doing the work Sandy Summers is doing in the way she is doing it or to the extent that she is doing it, and it is clearly very much needed.

Sandy is the founder and Executive Director of The Truth About Nursing and co-author of Saving Lives: Why the Media's Portrayal of Nursing Puts Us All at Risk. She runs the non-profit whose website is www.truthaboutnursing.org which is a great resource for understanding and countering popular perceptions of nursing in the media. Sandy is doing work that is unique within nursing. The work is extremely insightful and critically astute. Bill CodySandy needs all of our support if her efforts are going to be successful in changing public perceptions about nursing.

Bill Cody, RN, PhD, FAAN
Director, School of Nursing
DePaul University
email

Luther College

November 19, 2015

Author, guest speaker and general provocateur Sandy Summers will provide a thought-provoking, stereotype challenging presentation that is guaranteed to challenge audience members to consider widely held and inaccurate portrayals of the nursing profession. Summers' professionalism, polished presentations, and thought-provoking discussions are high quality components of her speaking engagements. Summers' incorporates current media depictions of the nursing profession and "women's work" into her presentations, providing highly relevant and timely work that is highly engaging to audience members. Summers' is extremely flexible and open to a variety of formats for her work Jayme Sue Nelson(dinners, discussions, presentations) which provides for a "tailor-made" experience at your institution.

Jayme Nelson, RN, MS, NP
Associate Professor of Nursing
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa
email

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Graduation Ceremony

July 22, 2016; and

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing presentation

September 16, 2015

I am delighted to provide this reference for Sandy Summers... I have known Sandy for three years. Most recently, I invited her to be the keynote speaker at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing's graduation ceremony on July 22, 2016. As Sandy is a John Hopkins alumna, receiving her Master's Degrees in Nursing and Public Health in 2002, I felt it only befitting to welcome her back to speak to and inspire our 2016 graduates. Not only did she inspire the graduates with her keynote address, but she also empowered them to take on the new challenges that lie ahead for the nursing community as a whole.

I know Sandy to be a dedicated clinician and a fierce advocate for a more positive perception of nursing by the media.

Sandy began her media advocacy work in April 2001. Since then, she has educated and captivated audiences through her public speaking. Sandy is the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization The Truth About Nursing. As I previously stated, since 2001, she has led the effort to change how the world views nursing by challenging damaging media depictions of nurses. Sandy's exceptional skills in nursing, healthcare management, clinical research, health education, patient advocacy, and public speaking have provided her with the ability to impact others, as well as gain cooperation from major corporations to create more positive and accurate images of the nursing profession.

Sandy has received numerous awards for her work: the 2015 American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Book of the Year Award, for "Saving Lives"; the 2009 International Award for Nursing Excellence in Public Print Media from the Sigma Theta, Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing; and a media award from the Connecticut Nurses Association in October 2010.

Indeed, Sandy has consistently demonstrated excellent leadership qualities, and has spent recent years educating the world about the value of nursing.

I hereby wholeheartedly endorse Sandy Summers as a candidate for your roster of speakers.

Yours sincerely,

Patricia M. Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN
Dean & Professor
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
September 12, 2016
email
Full letter at: bit.ly/davidson-reference

Allen College
Sigma Theta Tau, Pi Kappa Chapter Induction Ceremony

April 12, 2016

Waterloo, Iowa

Sandy Summers is an engaging, enthusiastic and passionate presenter. Her desire to improve the safety and quality of healthcare is evident as is her desire to elevate the important role nurses' fulfill when caring for patients. Her focus on the media's portrayal of nursing is both informative and eye opening Sarah Steeleand her presentation style motivates both students and faculty to be change agents in a complex, ever changing health care environment.

Sarah Steele, DNP, RN, CNE
Associate Professor
Allen College
email

New Jersey State Nurses Association / Institute for Nursing Convention

October 14, 2015; and
New Jersey Nursing Students 56th Annual Convention

February 21, 2008

I have known Sandy for many years and am very proud of all she has accomplished. Sandy has spoken at the conventions of the New Jersey Nursing Students, Inc. (NJNS) and of the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA). Sandy's evaluations were excellent because her presentations were outstanding. She is an animated, passionate speaker who will be an asset to your speaker's bureau.

Barbara ChamberlainIf I can be of any further service, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Barbara Chamberlain, PhD, APRN, MBA
October 5, 2016
Full letter at: bit.ly/chamberlain-reference
email

American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Nursing Advancement Professionals Annual Conference

          March 17, 2016

Sandy Summers is a well-regarded speaker who leads national efforts to shift the public's perception of the nursing profession. Ms. Summers attacks head on the damaging stereotypes of nurses that are often portrayed in mainstream media today. Additionally, she leads efforts to advance the understanding of the nursing profession is autonomous, highly educated and as leaders in health care. I highly recommend Ms. Summers as a speaker to any audience as the unfortunate perception of nurses as matronly, female only, assistant to the more educated physician not only hurts the nursing profession, but negatively impacts health care overall. Ms. Summers talks are relevant, timely and filled with fascinating information.

Jenny Carrick
Director for Strategic Marketing and Branding
University of California, Davis
Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
Office (916) 734-2543 | Mobile (916) 496-7006 | Fax (916) 452-2112
2450 48th St #2639 | Sacramento, CA | 95817
email

King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital
International Nursing Symposium

          Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
          November 11, and 12, 2015

Dear Ms. Summers:

I don't know if you still remember me, but it is still clear in my memory the time I listened to your talk here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

You left a great impression to me and the attendees that time. Rovin RamirezI hope you still elevate the image of the nursing profession. Continue to inspire other nurses the way you inspired me.

Respectfully,
Rovin Ramirez, conference attendee
April 28, 2017
email

Biennial Nursing Research Conference
The University of Windsor

Keynote Speaker
          Windsor, Ontario, Canada  
          September 29, 2012

Thank you for your inspiring and much needed talk. I wasn't exactly sure what you were going to present when I invited you to speak, but you said everything I hoped you would say. My words don't do justice to the impact that your talk had on our participants. Maher El-MasriThanks a million Sandy, for your contribution to our conference and advocacy on behalf of all nurses.

\

Maher M. El-Masri, RN, PhD
Full Professor and Research Chair
Faculty of Nursing
University of Windsor
email

University of New Mexico Hospital
Nursing Research Conference
Keynote Speaker
          Albuquerque, New Mexico
          October 28, 2011

Thank you for being our keynote. I feel so passionate about setting the record straight for the nursing profession. Changing cultures, and paradigms is not an easy task, but we all must be a part of it. I continue to receive compliments from the nurses regarding your presentation, they really enjoyed it! Thanks for all the work you do Sandy!!

Adrienne Fugett, RN, BSN, MBA
Magnet Program Manager
University of New Mexico Hospital
email

West Virginia League for Nursing
Annual Conference
Keynote Speaker
          Bridgeport, West Virginia
          May 17, 2023

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, your passion, and yourself with the group! It was a wonderful conference and I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet you. I too am hopeful that the advocacy can continue...and become second nature!

Dr. Allison Crabtree Sayre, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE
Professor of Nursing
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
email

Health Care Without Harm and partner Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
Guest Speaker
          Magnet Status: What it is, what it is not, and what it could be
          Online presentation
          April 9, 2013

Sandy hosted a truly engaging, critical discussion for nurses and a unique perspective... This information would be valuable to share with any nurse at every level of practice.

Mary Margaret Thomas, RN, MSN
Nurses Workgroup co-chair
email

Back to our page on speaking engagements

Sandy Summers' bio

Abstract of Sandy Summers' speaking engagement

Please email or call us at 410-323-1100 to inquire about a speaking engagement customized for your event.

 


Truth About Nursing Blog logo



book cover, Saving lives


A Few Successes —
We Can Change the Media!

Educate the world that nurses save lives!


Save Lives. Be a Nurse. bumper sticker