Past HHS Secretary Keynotes College of Nursing Leadership 2.0 Celebration

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan, MD called on sophomore Leadership 2.0 students to continue to lead at the Spring Celebration held at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing. Dr. Sullivan, current CEO and Chairman of The Sullivan Alliance to Transform Health Professions, participated in the event as part of his visit to Cincinnati to meet with local health leaders to discuss improving Ohio's health equity and expanding the health workforce in underserved communities statewide.

"If we want to continue to be a leader among the nations of the world, we have to have a well-educated servantry, so there's innovation and risk taking that brings us new knowledge, new programs, new services, new blueprints, etc.," said Sullivan during the program. "We have to have a healthy population because there's no such thing as a wealthy nation that is an unhealthy nation."

Leadership 2.0 was developed to diversify the health care workforce and reduce health disparities. It is a comprehensive program that seeks to increase the number of racially diverse, first generation, underrepresented ethnically and/or economically disadvantaged students in the College of Nursing while helping such students achieve excellence in college and beyond. The initiative includes a pre-college outreach program, summer bridge program, as well as campus-wide academic support and retention activities.

"It was very fitting to have Dr. Sullivan here, because his life's work and his passion are so aligned with everything we're working to do at our college," says Greer Glazer, PhD, dean of the UC College of Nursing. "Whenever we are working to blaze new trails and initiate change, it is critical that we identify leaders with the passion, intelligence and heart to break through the barriers they will encounter, to inspire others and to continue the legacy for our next generation of nurse leaders. The students in Leadership 2.0 demonstrate that potential."

The 11 graduates of the 2016 Leadership 2.0 cohort completed a highly competitive, two-year program that provides holistic support through a student's sophomore year. The students have successfully served in leadership roles ranging from college ambassador, resident advisor, various research and academic scholar positions to community volunteers.

The program was established through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Service Administration. The project is led by Glazer and Karen Bankston, PhD, associate dean of clinical practice, partnership and community engagement.