Simone Ippoliti, MSN, RN, is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and trauma-informed primary care specialist with over 10 years of experience in pediatric nursing. Currently, she serves as a psychiatry provider at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, where she expertly bridges patients with complex psychiatric, medical, and psychosocial needs across various levels of care. Notably, Simone is the founder of La Charla, a transformative nonprofit organization in Nicaragua dedicated to reducing teen pregnancy through culturally responsive education and youth empowerment initiatives. Her passion for community health and advocacy drives her commitment to improving the lives of young people.

Simone will present how La Charla exemplifies the transformative power of collective action in advancing sustainable global health initiatives. By exploring its principles and outcomes, the discussion will underscore the pivotal role of community empowerment in fostering culturally responsive and long-lasting improvements in global health.

Click here to watch Simone's presentation.

Josephine Nabulime, MSN, RN, is an experienced critical care nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. With over 20 years of dedicated service in emergency and critical care nursing, she has become a leader in her field. Currently, she manages a team of more than 30 nurses in the Accident and Emergency Unit, where she oversees patient care, staff development, and the implementation of best practices in critical care.

In addition to her role at Mulago National Refferal Hospital, Josephine works with the World Alliance for Lung and Intensive Care Medicine (WALIMU). Through this partnership, she contributes to improving the quality of clinical care provided by health workers at facilities across Uganda. Her involvement with WALIMU reflects her commitment to strengthening health systems and addressing challenges in diverse settings.

Click here to watch Josphine's presentation.

Judy N. Khanyola, MSN, RN is a registered community health nurse/midwife, family nurse practitioner, and pan-African nursing leader. She is the Vice President of AFREhealth and previously served as the inaugural Chair of the Center for Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda. With extensive experience in nursing and midwifery across Africa, she has led reforms in pre-service and clinical education, advancing the capacity of healthcare providers. 

Judy is an inaugural Fellow of the African Union/Africa CDC/Harvard Global Nursing Leadership Program and serves as the Vice President of the African Palliative Care Nurses and Educators Network (AfriPEN). She is a member of the East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing (ECSACON), a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and the recipient of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) Global HIV Award. Her leadership and advocacy continue to shape nursing and midwifery education while improving healthcare outcomes across the continent.

Joe P Davies, BSN, RN, is a Non-Communicable Disease Nurse Coordinator for Partners in Health Liberia. He oversees the PEN-Plus clinic in Maryland County, a healthcare center focused on expanding access to care for severe non-communicable diseases in Maryland County, Liberia. With over four years at PIH and prior experience at the Liberian Ministry of Health, Joe plays a pivotal role in training healthcare workers, mentoring new staff, and managing clinical activities to ensure high-quality patient care. His work also includes leading patient education initiatives, particularly for Type 1 diabetes, and advising PIH on program implementation and performance metrics.

In addition to his role at PIH, Joe is passionate about strengthening nursing education and professional development in Liberia. He contributes to the clinical preceptorship program at William V.S. Tubman University and supports continuing professional development programs for nurses. Joe also coordinates online education sessions for PEN-Plus staff and collaborates with the Liberian Ministry of Health to support primary healthcare activities in PIH-supported facilities. His dedication to expanding care and empowering healthcare workers has made him a driving force in improving health outcomes in Maryland County and across Liberia.