Speaker Series Request
GW Nursing Speaker Series
The Speaker Series at George Washington University School of Nursing is designed to expand how students understand the role of nursing and allied health professionals in today’s world. Through conversations with guest speakers across clinical practice, policy, global health, emergency response, and beyond, the series highlights the breadth of career pathways available after graduation.
These sessions are intentionally career-focused—offering real-world insight into how professionals apply their training across diverse settings, from hospitals and public health systems to entrepreneurship and international work.
Why Attend?
The Speaker Series is more than a lecture—it’s an opportunity to engage directly with professionals and explore your future in the field.
- Explore career pathways across nursing, public health, and allied health
- Gain professional insight from leaders working in diverse sectors
- Understand real-world applications of your degree
- Ask questions and build connections with experienced professionals
- Expand your perspective on the scope and impact of healthcare careers
Stay Engaged
Speaker Series events are typically held in Innovation Hall and are open to undergraduate students interested in exploring careers in nursing and allied health.
Keep an eye on program communications and event listings for upcoming sessions—and take advantage of these opportunities to learn directly from professionals shaping the future of healthcare.
Recent & Featured Speakers
Our speakers reflect the diversity of the nursing profession and its intersections with other fields. This archive will continue to expand as new speakers join us, creating a resource for students to explore past topics and identify areas of interest for future engagement. Past sessions featured:
- Healthcare and extreme weather resilience - Global health entrepreneurship and innovation
-Emergency preparedness and volunteer response systems - Graduate education pathways and funding strategies
Andrews Nyantakyi – Global Health & Entrepreneurship
Andrews Nyantakyi discusses his journey from the ABSN program to founding Elijeko, focusing on expanding access to health education and patient safety in Ghana. His session will emphasize community-based care, innovation, and global health leadership.
GW Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid Panel
Admissions and financial aid leadership provides guidance on transitioning to graduate nursing education, including application strategies, program options, and funding opportunities—helping students plan their next academic and professional steps.
Sunny Wescott – Extreme Weather & Healthcare Systems
Chief Meteorologist and former U.S. Air Force Lead Meteorologist, Sunny Wescott shared how extreme weather events impact healthcare infrastructure, emergency response, and critical systems like energy and telecommunications. Her work highlights the intersection of climate, disaster preparedness, and healthcare delivery.
Elizabeth Thurmon – Medical Reserve Corps
Elizabeth Thurmon introduced students to the Medical Reserve Corps, a national volunteer network supporting public health initiatives and emergency response. This session highlighted non-traditional volunteer pathways and disaster response roles in healthcare.
Suggest a Speaker
Have someone in mind who could inspire, inform, or expand perspectives?
We actively encourage students to help shape the Speaker Series by recommending professionals, organizations, or topics they’d like to see represented.
- Suggest guest speakers across clinical care, policy, research, global health, business, and more
- Share ideas that reflect emerging issues or underrepresented career paths
- Help ensure the series reflects student interests and evolving healthcare landscapes