References
The Truth About Nursing's Executive Director Sandy Summers has spoken internationally to dozens of nursing organizations, schools and hospitals. Below are a few references from her presentations.
UCLA
Symposium on Media Images & Screen Representations of Nurses
Keynote Speaker
Los Angeles, California
May 12, 2011
contact: MarySue V. Heilemann
From symposium host MarySue Heilemann: "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.” 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!" see the full letter...
Bill Cody, RN, PhD, FAAN, Director, School of Nursing
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. Sandy needs all of our support if her efforts are going to be successful in changing public perceptions about nursing.
I strongly believe that more mainstream nursing organizations should be supporting Sandy's work, and I certainly believe that Sandy's work has a place within our top nursing schools.
Biennial Nursing Research Conference
The University of Windsor
Keynote Speaker
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
September 29, 2012
contact: Maher El-Masri
From conference host Dr. El-Masri: "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. Thanks a million Sandy, for your contribution to our conference and advocacy on behalf of all nurses."
University of New Mexico Hospital
Nursing Research Conference
Keynote Speaker
Albuquerque, New Mexico
October 28, 2011
contact: Adrienne Fugett
From conference host Adrienne Fugett: "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!!"
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
contact: Mary Margaret Thomas
"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
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Abstract of Sandy Summers' speaking engagement
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Educate the world that nurses save lives!
