Palmer
The Ruth K. Palmer Research Symposium
The Ruth K. Palmer Research Symposium is the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing's premier showcase of innovative nursing research. Held each spring at Loyola's Health Sciences Campus, the conference inspires interdisciplinary collaboration and serves as a forum for researchers in nursing, as well as public health and medicine, to develop new partnerships.
Established in 1987 and endowed by former Dean Gladys Kiniery, the Palmer Symposium addresses matters seminal to health care research, education, administration, policy, and clinical practices.
The conference draws experts from across the spectrum of health care, representing Loyola and a variety of respected universities and institutions.
The next Palmer Symposium will be held April 10, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Register here.
Palmer 2026
Why Your Research Matters: Highlighting the Reach of Nursing Science
As the health care profession grows increasingly complex, promoting the impact of nursing research has never been more important. The 2026 Ruth K. Palmer Research Symposium will explore how to identify and share the positive, often-overlooked impacts of nursing science. Learn from experts about the economic and societal value of nursing science, and strategies for disseminating research outcomes. Network with fellow researchers from across the spectrum of nursing science and be inspired as they share their research findings, challenges, and areas of opportunity.
Our 2026 Keynote Speakers
Olga Yakusheva, PhD, MSE, FAAN
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Yakusheva is an internationally leading expert and thought leader on the economic value of nursing to health care systems. Dr. Yakusheva’s research team has led studies quantifying the value-added contribution of nurses to patient outcomes and to organizational financial outcomes, to improve nurse staffing, reduce burnout, and promote the economic value of nurses.
Krista Longtin, PhD
Indiana University
Dr. Longtin is an internationally recognized scholar in health and science communication, faculty development, and interdisciplinary education. She leads health communication training programs for faculty, medical students, residents, and graduate students. Her research projects have tackled topics such as navigating political divides in public outreach, empathy and wellbeing in emergency departments, and professional identity development for graduate students.
3.5 contact hours for nursing continuing professional development will be offered upon successful completion of this program.
To receive credit, participants must:
- Attend the full program
- Complete the post‑program evaluation
No one with the ability to control content of this activity has a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company.
Loyola University Health System is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Meet our presenters
The Palmer Symposium gives nursing and other health care scientists the opportunity to share and present their research in a welcoming environment. Read abstracts from presentators at our most recent conferences below.
Our 2026 Keynote Speakers
Olga Yakusheva, PhD, MSE, FAAN
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Yakusheva is an internationally leading expert and thought leader on the economic value of nursing to health care systems. Dr. Yakusheva’s research team has led studies quantifying the value-added contribution of nurses to patient outcomes and to organizational financial outcomes, to improve nurse staffing, reduce burnout, and promote the economic value of nurses.
Krista Longtin, PhD
Indiana University
Dr. Longtin is an internationally recognized scholar in health and science communication, faculty development, and interdisciplinary education. She leads health communication training programs for faculty, medical students, residents, and graduate students. Her research projects have tackled topics such as navigating political divides in public outreach, empathy and wellbeing in emergency departments, and professional identity development for graduate students.
3.5 contact hours for nursing continuing professional development will be offered upon successful completion of this program.
To receive credit, participants must:
- Attend the full program
- Complete the post‑program evaluation
No one with the ability to control content of this activity has a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company.
Loyola University Health System is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.