OMNL Nursing Leadership of Maine

08/13/2026

🤖 Featured Speaker Spotlight: Naneen Chace-Ortiz, MSN, RN 🤖

Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, but what does that mean for nurse leaders today and in the future?

Join Naneen Chace-Ortiz, Senior Director of Innovation Initiatives at MaineHealth, at the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting for an engaging and practical session,"AI in Nursing: From Practice to Leadership." Naneen leads groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, data, and healthcare innovation, helping bridge the gap between technology and patient care.

In this must-attend session, you'll learn:

✅ How AI is reshaping nursing practice and leadership roles
✅ Emerging opportunities to improve patient care through innovation
✅ Practical strategies for leveraging AI in healthcare settings
✅ Tips for creating effective prompts using large language models and AI tools

Whether you're new to AI or already exploring its potential, this session will provide valuable insights and hands-on learning you can take back to your organization.

🎟️ Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the future of nursing. Register today for the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting!

https://omnl.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=32

08/12/2026

Nomination Deadline is this coming Friday, August 14, 2026

🌟 Nominate an Outstanding Nurse Leader! 🌟

Do you know a nurse who goes above and beyond—someone who inspires others, drives innovation, and makes a lasting impact on the nursing profession? Now is the time to recognize their dedication and leadership! 💙

The Organization of Maine Nurse Leaders (OMNL) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Emerging Nurse Leader Award and Exemplary Nurse Leader Award.

🏆 Emerging Nurse Leader Award
Recognizing a nurse who demonstrates leadership qualities through accountability, influence, innovation, change management, vision, and collaboration—creating meaningful outcomes that advance healthcare, even if they are not yet in a formal leadership role.

🏆 Exemplary Nurse Leader Award
Honoring a nurse leader who has significantly influenced nursing practice through mentorship, professional development, advancing standards of care, serving as a role model, and creating innovative approaches to improve healthcare.

✨ Help us celebrate the nurses who are shaping the future of nursing and making a difference in their organizations, communities, and the profession.

Eligibility: Nominees must be a licensed Registered Nurse and actively involved in the nursing profession.

📅 Awards will be presented at the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting on Friday, September 25, 2026.

📌 Nominations are due by August 14, 2026.

To request a nomination form, please contact:
📧 Brandie DeWitt at [email protected]

Let’s recognize the incredible nurse leaders who are inspiring change and strengthening healthcare across Maine! 💙

08/10/2026

🚨 Featured Speaker Spotlight: Guy Cousins, LCSW, LADC, CCS 🚨

What happens when stress, burnout, or impairment affects healthcare professionals, and how can nurse leaders help create pathways to recovery while protecting patient safety?

Join Guy Cousins, Director of the Maine Medical Professionals Health Program (MPHP) and Senior Lecturer at the University of Maine at Augusta, at the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting. With more than 40 years of leadership in behavioral health, addiction treatment, and mental health services, Guy will share valuable insights on:

✅ The impact of stress and impairment on nursing practice
✅ How MPHP supports healthcare professionals in need
✅ Leadership strategies that promote recovery and successful return to practice
✅ Creating a culture that prioritizes well-being and patient safety

This is a timely and important session for nurse leaders navigating today's healthcare challenges. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from one of Maine's most respected experts in behavioral health and professional recovery.

🎟️ Register today and secure your spot at the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting!

https://omnl.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=32

08/05/2026

🎤 Keynote Presentation
Learning from the Stories of Our Past: What to Let Go and What to Preserve

Every nurse has a story—and together, those stories have shaped our profession.

Drawing from four decades of bedside practice, leadership, and education, Dr. Sepples will guide attendees through an engaging exploration of nursing’s history, traditions, and values. Together, we’ll reflect on what has strengthened our profession, challenge long-held myths that may no longer serve us, and consider what should be preserved as we shape the future of nursing leadership.

This thought-provoking and interactive keynote will leave attendees inspired to honor our past while embracing the opportunities ahead.

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Sepples and hope you’ll join us for this meaningful conversation.

Register Today!

https://omnl.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=32

07/31/2026

🌟 Nominate an Outstanding Nurse Leader! 🌟

Do you know a nurse who goes above and beyond—someone who inspires others, drives innovation, and makes a lasting impact on the nursing profession? Now is the time to recognize their dedication and leadership! 💙

The Organization of Maine Nurse Leaders (OMNL) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Emerging Nurse Leader Award and Exemplary Nurse Leader Award.

🏆 Emerging Nurse Leader Award
Recognizing a nurse who demonstrates leadership qualities through accountability, influence, innovation, change management, vision, and collaboration—creating meaningful outcomes that advance healthcare, even if they are not yet in a formal leadership role.

🏆 Exemplary Nurse Leader Award
Honoring a nurse leader who has significantly influenced nursing practice through mentorship, professional development, advancing standards of care, serving as a role model, and creating innovative approaches to improve healthcare.

✨ Help us celebrate the nurses who are shaping the future of nursing and making a difference in their organizations, communities, and the profession.

Eligibility: Nominees must be a licensed Registered Nurse and actively involved in the nursing profession.

📅 Awards will be presented at the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting on Friday, September 25, 2026.

📌 Nominations are due by August 14, 2026.

To request a nomination form, please contact:
📧 Brandie DeWitt at [email protected]

Let’s recognize the incredible nurse leaders who are inspiring change and strengthening healthcare across Maine! 💙

07/24/2026

🎉 Registration is OPEN!

Join us at the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting on September 25 in Augusta, Maine for an inspiring day of leadership, innovation, advocacy, and professional growth featuring keynote speaker Susan B. Sepples, PhD, RN, CNE and an outstanding lineup of presenters.

🔗 Register: https://omnl.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=32

07/22/2026

📢 Big news coming Friday!

The wait is almost over. Details for the 2026 OMNL Annual Meeting will be announced, and registration will officially open.

Stay tuned—you won't want to miss what we have planned!

06/28/2026

🎓 OMNL Proudly Announces Our 2026 Scholarship Recipient: Maggie O’Rourke

The Organization of Maine Nurse Leaders is pleased to recognize Maggie O’Rourke of Calais High School, Class of 2026 Valedictorian, as a recipient of the 2026 OMNL Scholarship.

Maggie exemplifies leadership, service, and academic excellence. During high school, she has been actively involved in the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society, while also serving as Student Council Class President for three years. Her commitment to community service began early through Girl Scouts and has grown to more than 200 hours of service, supporting individuals across her community.

Maggie will attend the University of Maine at Orono, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential and is currently working toward her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification through her local fire department. While in college, she plans to continue serving as both a CNA and EMT to further strengthen her clinical skills.

With goals of becoming an ICU Registered Nurse and eventually a flight nurse, Maggie is dedicated to providing compassionate, high‑quality care to patients in their most vulnerable moments. OMNL is proud to support her journey into nursing leadership.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Maggie on this outstanding achievement!

06/27/2026

🎓 OMNL Proudly Announces Our 2026 Scholarship Recipient: Colby Nadeau 🎓

The Organization of Maine Nurse Leaders is pleased to recognize Colby Nadeau of Benton, Maine as a recipient of the 2026 OMNL Scholarship.

Colby is currently entering his junior year of nursing school at Husson University, where he balances academic excellence with teamwork and leadership as a member of the Husson University Football Team, playing free safety. He is also gaining valuable hands‑on clinical experience as a nursing intern at Redington‑Fairview Hospital, working as an Emergency Room Technician.

Following graduation, Colby plans to pursue a career as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse, providing high‑quality, fast‑paced, and critical care to patients during some of their most urgent and vulnerable moments. His dedication to learning, service, and patient care reflects the values OMNL is proud to support.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Colby on this well‑deserved scholarship and wishing him continued success in his nursing journey!