THInC: The Healthcare Innovation Conference 2025
Power by Purpose: Nurse-led Innovation | 24-26 April, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA, USA
Join us to ignite your passion for nursing and healthcare innovation at #THInC 2025 as we proudly celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day, an initiative created by the United Nations! This dynamic three-day event, hosted in the heart of University City in Philadelphia, USA, brings together nurses, nursing students, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the globe!
Whether you're a nurse leader, nursing student, tech enthusiast, or an entrepreneurial trailblazer, this conference is your chance to shape the future of healthcare.
What to Expect
💡 Inspiring Keynotes: Hear from influential voices as they inspire a bold vision for the future of nursing and healthcare.
🚀 Hands-On Innovation: Dive into the SONSIEL NurseHack, a collaborative problem-solving innovation competition where your ideas can take flight.
🌐 Global Perspectives: Learn about global trends in health systems innovation with expert insights from Brazil, Canada, Ghana, Israel, and beyond!
📚 Enriching Breakout Sessions: Participate in interactive workshops and symposiums exploring nursing innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and more.
🌟 Recognition & Celebration: Celebrate nursing innovation excellence with the SONSIEL - DAISY Foundation Awards Ceremony and connect at networking receptions.
Key Dates
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Register today to receive a discount!
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Contribute to the advancement of healthcare innovation and scholarship, the nursing profession and society-at-large by submitting your abstract to the I Symposium on Nursing Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
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Early Bird Registration
What's included in registration?
Opportunities for networking and collaboration with nursing, health professionals, and allies from around the world;
Conference materials and resources;
Access to the exhibition area;
Breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks;
Reception and Award Ceremony.
*For attendees interested in the entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial track to earn a certificate from our partners at Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship, please add the Drexel certificate at check out.
Registration
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SONSIEL will verify current membership status. Members must be in good standing for ticket issuance.
Discounted rates for members of our SONSIEL Satellites are also available. Please contact info@sonsiel.org to verify membership and receive your code.
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General Admission includes 1 free annual SONSIEL Membership. Visit the benefits of becoming a SONSIEL Member!
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Kindly send proof of enrollment to info@sonsiel.org
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Specialized Nurse Entrepreneur & Intrapreneur 3-module certificate program offered by our partners at Drexel University's Close School of Entrepreneurship, #1 Ranked Entrepreneurship Program in Pennsylvania.
*For attendees interested in the entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial track to earn a certificate from our partners at Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship, please add the Drexel certificate at check out.
Exhibitor
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Includes 1 Conference Registration, one tabletop, one chair, and your company logo featured in the social campaign, printed/digital agenda, and website.
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Includes 1 Conference Registration and 1-year membership to SONSIEL. One tabletop, one chair, and your company logo featured in the social campaign, printed/digital agenda, and website.
Keynote Speaker
Sheila Hess
Sheila Hess was appointed by Mayor Jim Kenney in 2016 to a cabinet member position as Philadelphia’s City Representative. Sheila joined the city after an accomplished 24-year career at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), where she proudly served as Director IBC Foundation & Community Affairs and creator of the award-winning Blue Crew corporate volunteer program and IBX Nursing Internship Program.
She was recognized as one of the 50 Philly Power Women in 2023 & 2021 by Metro Philadelphia for empowerment, leadership, and sisterhood, working every day to make Philadelphia a better place. In 2023 & 2022, Hess was identified in the Power List by City & State PA Magazine as one of the Pennsylvania Power of Diversity: Women 100 most influential female leaders. Sheila was identified as one of five Philadelphia women moving the needle in the City of Brotherly Love by Philadelphia Style magazine. Hess was recognized as a Community Hero during the 2023 Temple football season opener as part of a Community Appreciation Day.
Agenda
Powered by purpose: Experience the transformative power of nurse-led innovation with an agenda packed with excitement and impact!
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8:00 – 9:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 – 9:20 AM | Opening Remarks: Welcome & Introduction to THInC 2025
Mary Lou Ackerman (President 2025) & Nico Sciasci (Executive Director)
9:20 – 9:40 AM | Keynote Speaker
Sheila Hess, Former City of Philadelphia Representative
9:40 - 10:00 AM | Exhibit Hall Opening & Networking Break
10:00 - 11:00 AM | Johnson & Johnson Sponsored Session
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | SONSIEL NurseHack Kickoff
12:30 – 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch
1:15 – 2:30 PM | Breakout Sessions:
Main Auditorium (Free)
I Symposium on Nursing Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I-SNIE)
Networking & Oral Presentations: Innovation in Science
Drexel Certificate Program
Workshop 1: Entrepreneur & Intrapreneur Track
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Exhibit Hall & Networking Break
2:45 – 5:30 PM | SONSIEL NurseHack Continues
6:00 – 7:30 PM | Networking Reception & SONSIEL-DAISY Foundation Award Ceremony (Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson)
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8:30 – 9:00 AM | Exhibit & Networking Breakfast
9:00 – 11:00 | SONSIEL NurseHack Continues
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Breakout Sessions:
Main Auditorium (Free)
Student Nursing Panel: Empowering Nursing Leaders of the Future
Drexel Certificate Program
Drexel Workshops Continued
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Fireside Chat with SONSIEL Board Directors
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Interactive Panel: Artificial Intelligence in Nursing and Healthcare
Moderator: Kathleen McGrow, Chief Nursing Innovation Officer (CNIO) - Microsoft
Panelists:
Tracie Risling, President-Elect - Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
Rachael Acker, Founder & CEO - Healthero.io
Ashish Anand, Founder & CEO - Workforce Wellness
2:00 – 2:15 PM | Exhibit & Networking Break
2:15 – 3:15 PM | Breakout Sessions:
Main Auditorium (Free)
I Symposium on Nursing Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I-SNIE)
Networking & Oral Presentations: Innovation in Science
Drexel Certificate Program
Drexel Workshops Continued
3:15 – 4:00 PM | Fundraising, Venture Capital, or Private Equity? The In’s and Out’s of Scaling your Business
4:00 – 5:00 PM | SONSIEL NurseHack Continues
5:00 PM – Onward | Optional Philly Social Outing
Walking tour of Old City-Liberty Bell, Penn Hospital, Society Hill, Penns Landing
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8:30 – 9:00 AM | Exhibit & Networking Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Local Challenges, Global Impact: Nurse Innovators Driving Impact without Borders
10:00 – 11:30 AM | SONSIEL NurseHack (Final Pitches)
11:30 – 11:50 PM | Closing Keynote:
Marion Leary, Director of Innovation - University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing)
11:50 – 12:00 PM | Closing Remarks:
Olga Kagan (President-Elect 2025)
I Symposium on Nursing Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Call for Abstracts
The SONSIEL Collaborative Healthcare Innovation, Research & Problem Solving (CHIRPS) Committee is delighted to announce the inclusion of a peer-reviewed scientific component to the THInC Conference in Philadelphia, USA. This will provide an opportunity to engage in discourse aimed at advancing healthcare innovation and scholarship, the nursing profession, and society at large.
Partner with #SONSIEL!
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!
Event & Venue Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
What do attendees think of THInC?
Kimberly D.
“The ThinC 2024 exceeded my expectations on every way. I am grateful for the many people anbd members of SONSIEL that have made weekend tremendously insightful and inspirational! and inspirational on every level. It is so encouraging to know I have found a tribe of likeminded change makers who enjoy solving problems as much as I do.”
Agostinho A.
“Attending the conference was particularly enlightening to the development of my global career.”
#THInC Memories
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THInC 2023 - Boston, USA
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THInC 2024 - Boston, USA
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THInC 2024 - Toronto, CA
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THInC 2024 - Boston, USA
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THInC 2024 - Toronto, CA
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THInC 2024 - Toronto, CA
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THInC 2023 - Boston, USA
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THInC 2023 - Boston, USA
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THInC 2024 - Boston, USA
We’ll see you at #THInC!
Accomodation
We are happy to partner with The Study Hotel University City as the main hotel for the THInC Philly 2025, conveniently located in University City. Attendees can enjoy preferential rates at this location.
The Study Hotel University City
20 South 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA, United States