Conference Schedule & Program

Conference Date: Thursday, September 19 - 21, 2024

2024 Region 8 Sigma Conference Agenda

Nursing Contact Hours:

This activity has been submitted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for approval to award contact hours. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Welcome Reception: location

Registration: location

Pick up conference materials, poster set-up, silent auction item drop-off

Be sure to stay for drinks and hear some live music!

Friday, September 20, 2024

7:30 am to 8:30 am

Registration: location

Pick up conference materials, poster set-up, silent auction item drop-off

Continental Breakfast location

8:30 am to 8:50 am

Opening Ceremonies: location

Dr. Kim Douglas, 2024 Region 8 Conference Chair

Dr. Haley Townsend, Sigma Region 8 Coordinator

Dr. Lishia Lee, President Theta Beta Chapter, Sigma

8:50am to 9:50 am

Keynote Speaker: Mary Hanks, EdD, MSN, CNL, CNE, Associate Professor, Chair Division of Nursing

The University of West Alabama, School of Nursing

“The Legacy of Representation: The Foundation of Nursing Programs”

location

10:00 am to 11:00 am

Concurrent Sessions locations

11:00 am to 12:15

Silent Auction Open: location

Posters: (Authors present) location

12:20 pm to 1:00 pm

Lunch: location

1:15 pm to 2:15 pm

Keynote Speaker 2: Josie Bidwell, DNP, RN, FNP-C, DipACLM, FACLM

Associate Professor, Clinical Director, Dept. of Preventative Medicine

University of Mississippi Medical Center

“Lifestyle Medicine and Nurse Well-being”

2:20 pm to 3:20 pm

Concurrent Sessions: locations

3:20 pm to 3:35 pm

Afternoon Break

3:35 pm to 4:35 pm

Concurrent Sessions: locations

4:35pm – 4:45pm Recap Day 1

Silent Auction Closes 2:45 pm

Silent Auction Winners will be posted at 3:30pm!

Winners should pay and pick up items in by 5:00 pm location

Dinner on your own.

See the conference website for restaurants in the area!

Saturday, September 21, 2024

7:30 am to 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast: Location

8:40 am to 9:40 am

Concurrent Sessions: location (if needed)

9:50 am to 10:50 am

Concurrent Sessions: locations (if needed)

11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Lunch & location

Region 8 Meeting, Dr. Haley Townsend, Region 8 Coordinator

12:30 pm to 1:00 pm

Concluding Remarks: Dr. Kim Douglas Region 8 Conference Chair

12:45pm – 1:00pm- Evaluations

Sigma Region 8 Coordinator: Haley Townsend

Keynote Speakers

Mary Hanks, EdD, MSN, CNL, CNE

Chairperson/Associate Professor

Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing

University of West Alabama

Josie Bidwell, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, DipACLM, FACLM

Associate Professor, Clinical Director

Department of Preventative Medicine/School of Medicine/School of Population Health

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Conference Theme and Overall Goal

Conference theme – REPRESENT: Reflect, Respect, Respond is founded upon both the mission of Sigma International and the 2023 - 2025 Organizational Call to Action

Overall Goal: Provide skills-building, education, and professional development opportunities that reflect the ever-changing healthcare landscape. Cultivate respectful interactions to foster positive, creative engagement and inspire collaboration to enhance patient care and broaden Sigma nurses' impact across the region and nation.

Conference Presentations

will be posted after Abstract Submission Deadline

Conference Evaluation and CEUs

***TBD: In order to receive CEUs, the conference evaluation form must be completed and submitted. Detailed CEU Instructions will be available in the official Conference Program. CEUs are approved by the University of Mississippi Medical Center/Mississippi Nurses Foundation.

Conference Proceeds

All proceeds acquired from the 3-day Sigma Region 8 Conference will be available for use for the 2026 Sigma Region 8 Conference. The Planning Committee formed for the 2026 Region 8 Conference will determine how the proceeds will be used.