2026 Baptist Health Academic Conference: The Art and Science of Interprofessional Collaborations
The Baptist Health Academic Conference will highlight the team-based, multidisciplinary scholarly work—including research and quality-improvement projects—being developed at Baptist Health and in the local community. Academic and health system leaders will join us to share their perspectives on how collaboration serves as a strategic compass for navigating the complexities of modern healthcare. Through strengthened partnerships, we can ensure that every professional is equipped to deliver safe, high-quality care in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Speakers will highlight proven strategies for driving large-scale change and building safer, higher-value health systems. In addition, Baptist Health leaders will showcase how internal, system-wide collaboration fuels some of Baptist Health’s most transformative initiatives.
Agenda
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast, Networking and Poster Presentations |
| 8:30 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions Zuanel Diaz, Ph.D. Assistant Vice President, Interprofessional Education Baptist Health South Florida Miami, Florida |
| 8:35 a.m. | Opening Remarks Jean Putnam, DNP, M.S., R.N., CPHQ, NEA-BC Chief Nurse Executive Baptist Health South Florida Miami, Florida |
| 8:45 a.m. | The Collaborative Compass: How Strategic Partnerships Shape the Future of Healthcare Steve Abel, Pharm.D. Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Butler University Associate Provost for Engagement, Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana |
| 9:45 a.m. | Break and Visit Exhibits |
| 10:00 a.m. | Driving Large-Scale Change: Building Safer, Higher-Value Health Systems Kedar Mate, M.D. President & Chief Executive Officer Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) President of the Lucian Leape Institute Faculty, Weill Cornell Medical College Campton, California |
| 10:40 a.m. | Panel: Mega Projects Host: Jean Putnam DNP, MS, R.N., CPHQ, NEA-BC Professor, Departments of Medicine and Engineering Chief Nurse Executive, Baptist Health South Florida Lightning Briefs Facilitator: Dr. Jean Putnam - Nancy Batista, CEO, Baptist Outpatient Services - Sandra McLean, VP, Nursing - Adriene McCoy, Sr. VP, Chief People Officer - Vedner Guerrier, VP of Operations, Clinical Enterprise |
| 11:20 a.m. | Visit the Poster Presentations, Lunch and Networking |
| 12:30 p.m. | Advancing Health by Orchestrating Collaborations: The Future of Nursing Susan Hassmiller, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN Professor of Nursing Florida State University College of Nursing Adjunct Faculty, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Founder and Principal of Sulu Coaching and Consulting Cary, North Carolina |
| 1:15 p.m. | Baptist Health Scholars - Presentations Host: Nohemi Sadule-Rios, Ph.D.
|
| 2:15 p.m. | Author! Author! Host: Devica Samsundar Corporate Director, Medical Library and Research Support |
| 2:35 p.m. | Recognitions and Closing Remarks |
| 2:45 p.m. | Adjourn |
NOTE: Schedule subject to change.

About the Venue
Next to Baptist Hospital, Hilton Miami is two miles from Dadeland Mall and 10 minutes from Dadeland South Metro Station. Miami International Airport is 13 miles away. Hilton Miami offers a wellness center with yoga and Pilates classes plus massages, a heated pool, and guest rooms with fitness equipment. Hilton Miami Dadeland has met cleanliness standards for a WELL Health-Safety Rating.
Conference Planners

Assistant Vice President, Interprofessional Education
Baptist Health South Florida
Miami, Florida

Chief Medical Executive
Vice President, Quality, Patient Safety, Informatics and Academic Medicine
Baptist Health South Florida
Miami, Florida

Chief Nurse Executive
Baptist Health South Florida
Miami, Florida

Manager, Nursing Health Sciences Research
Baptist Health South Florida
Miami, Florida
Guess Speakers

Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Butler University
Associate Provost for Engagement,
Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

Professor of Nursing
Florida State University College of Nursing
Adjunct Faculty, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Founder and Principal of Sulu Coaching and Consulting
Cary, North Carolina

President & Chief Executive Officer
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
President of the Lucian Leape Institute
Faculty, Weill Cornell Medical College
Campton, California
Baptist Health Panelists

CEO, Baptist Outpatient Services
Baptist Health South Florida

Vice President, Nursing
Baptist Health South Florida

Sr. Vice President, Chief People Officer
Baptist Health South Florida

Vice President of Operations, Clinical Enterprise
Baptist Health South Florida
Disclosures And Resolution Of Conflict Of Interest
- Steven Abel, Pharm.D., faculty of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage.
- Susan Hassmiller, Ph.D., R.N., faculty of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage.
- Kedar Mate, M.D., faculty of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage
- Zuanel Diaz, Ph.D., Nohemi Sadule-Rios, Ph.D., Jean Putnam, R.N., and Samer Fahmy, M.D. have no financial relationships to disclose.
- Non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development and editing/review of the content have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose.
*Ineligible companies - Companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer
Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Baptist Health South Florida designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been approved for 4.25 credit hours, CE Broker Course #20-1356005, by the Florida Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and by the Florida Council of Physician Assistants.
This activity has also been approved for 4.25 credit hours for Pharmacists and techs, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors. Baptist Health South Florida CE Broker Provider #50-182.
This activity has also been approved for 4 credit hours for Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Dietitians and Respiratory Therapists. Baptist Health South Florida CE Broker Provider #50-182.
Available Credit
- 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 4.25 General certificate of attendance
- 4.00 Florida Board of Dietitians
- 4.25 Florida Board of Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors
- 4.00 Nurse Practitioners
- 4.00 Florida Board of Nursing
- 4.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
- 4.00 Florida Board of Respiratory Therapy

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