JUNE 18, 2026
Experiential Learning Summit
This dynamic summit brings together educators, clinicians, and academic leaders to examine how digital innovation can create meaningful synergy between classroom learning and clinical practice. Through expert-led discussions and interactive sessions, participants will explore technology-enabled models, collaborative partnerships, and practical strategies that enhance experiential learning across health professions programs. Whether you are seeking to better align curriculum with real-world practice or leverage digital tools to support clinical education, you will gain actionable insights and inspiration to strengthen the continuum from education to patient care. Nursing contact hours will be provided.
Event details
Thursday, June 18th | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Keynote Address, Workshop Sessions, Poster Presentations, and Vendor Exhibits
Helen Wood Hall | 255 Crittenden Blvd. | Rochester, NY 14620
Keynote address
Barry Silverstein
Director, Center for Extended Reality
Barry Silverstein joined the University of Rochester faculty in 2026 as director of the Center for Extended Reality after having served as the senior director and chief technology officer of optics and display in Meta’s Reality Labs.
While leading optics and display at Meta for seven years, Silverstein’s research focused on creating the world's smallest and most efficient visual imaging systems including uLED, LCoS, and laser scanning engines, novel lightweight high index of refraction materials, waveguides using volume holography, polarization volume holograms and surface relief gratings. Between his time at Meta, IMAX, and Kodak, Silverstein is a seasoned expert research, development, and commercialization of optical systems, laser projection, sensing, imaging/printing, space imaging, and optical recording.
Silverstein is a 2024 winner of an Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Scientific and Engineering Award for contributions to the design and development of the IMAX Prismless Laser Projector. He is responsible for 100 awarded US patents as well as multiple successful patent and technology license transfer programs.
Pricing and discounts
Early Bird - Before May 1
$125 per person. Discounted rate of $60 for University of Rochester faculty/staff/alumni/students.
After May 1
$150 per person. Discounted rate of $75 for University of Rochester faculty/staff/alumni/students.
For Presenters
Fee waived for primary presenters. One co-presenter at discounted rate of $60.
| Session time | Workshop 1 | Workshop 2 | Workshop 3 | Workshop 4 | Workshop 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Session 1 10:15 - 11:00 |
Creating Meaningful AI-Informed Simulations in Health Professions Education: The Framework and Its Application to Nursing | Virtual Escape Room: Building from the Ground Up | Bridging Education, Research and Clinical Practice through an Interprofessional Simulation to Promote Sexual Health & Wellness | Strengthening Fall Prevention in Ambulatory Oncology Through Interactive, Team‑Based Education | |
| Presenters: Deborah Wuest Ed.D, Patrick McKeon, PhD, ATC, Carrie Royse BSN, RN, CAPA & Becki Vincent, MS, RN, CPAN | Presenters: Laura Paytash, TJ Thai, & Joe Gomulak-Cavicchio | Presenters: Erin Baylor, DNP, RN, PPCNP-BC, ONP, FNAP, CHSE-A & Natalie Leblanc, PhD, MPH, BSN, RN | Presenters: Alexandra Sanders, MSN, RN, OCN, AMB-BC, BCPA, Claudia Diamonte, Anna Foster & Jessica Schultz | ||
Session 2 11:15 - 12:00 |
Regular and Substantive Interactions: Engaging Online Students Through Humor and Humanity | Scaffolding Clinical Judgment Through Gamification Across the Nursing Curriculum | Prescription: Play! | AI-Assisted Syllabi and Active Learning Strategies | From Classroom to Cloud: Transforming a Nurse Practitioner Program to a Hybrid-Online Curriculum |
| Presenter: Joe Gomulak-Cavicchio | Presenters: Michelle Bork, DNP, RN, CNE & Alycia Cramer | Presenter: Meghan Plate & Heather Reyes | Presenter: Jeff Houck | Presenters: Laura Paytash & Beth Palermo | |
Apple Presentation 1:00 - 1:45 |
Apple Intelligence for Education: A New Era of Innovation | ||||
| Presenter: Apple Education Team Member | |||||
Session 3 3:00 - 3:45 |
Build a B.E.A.R. (Building Engagement with AI Roleplay) Workshop | Preparing for AI-Integrated Teaching: Exploring an In-House CourseBot | Educating the Educators: Scaffolded Simulations for Difficult Conversations in Clinical and Academic Settings | Building Competence and Practice: Applying CBE in Health Professions Education | |
| Presenters: Toby Brown, Sue Stanek & Borjana Nikolic | Presenters: Keirah Comstock, Joe Ogg & Jess McDermott | Presenter: Kim Buholtz | Presenters: Tara Serwetnyk & Kaitlyn Picard | ||
Poster sessions
- “A Day in the Life of Parkinson’s Disease: A Holistic Approach for Teaching Nursing Students in the Experiential Learning Setting” | Hannah Griffiths, MS, RN
- Digital Simulation Cultivates Collaborative Systems Thinking in Healthcare Education | Susan M. Ciurzynski, PhD RN NPD-BC MS VCE FNAP
- Gamifying the Gut: An Escape Room on Constipation | Brittany Donovan BSN, RN & Emily Blackburn
- Multimodal Delirium Education for Nurses in Acute Care Setting: A Scoping Review | Laura Raniewicz
- Digital Collaboration in Nursing: Building Understanding and Practice Readiness | Terri Enslein EdD, MSN, RNC-OB, CNE
- UR Health Lab Education Core: An Innovative Approach to Fostering Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Education | Brooke Baiocchi & Christine Boerman, DNP, RN, CNL
- From Afar to Aligned: Comprehensively Integrating Remotely Recruited Nurses | Elizabeth Frink, MS, RN & Tara Rizzo
- Comparing Specialized and General Generative AI Models in Nursing ECG Education: Accuracy and Cost-Effectiveness | Nikolas DiPaulo & Dillon Dzikowicz
- Generative AI Improves Nursing Student Performance in an ECG Course | Nikolas Dipaulo & Dillon Dzikowicz
- Calculation Competence & Confidence: Sharpening Nurses' Medication Math and Administration Skills | Kaitlyn Picard, MS, RN, CNEcl; Jennifer Truax MS, RNC, C-EFM; Toby Brown, PhD; Joseph Gomulak-Cavicchio, EdD
Ways to participate
Travel & lodging
Driving directions
The School of Nursing is housed in Helen Wood Hall, just across the street from the University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital.
Directions & parking about Driving directions
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester
Accommodations are available at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/University & Medical Center.
Reserve a room about Hilton Garden Inn RochesterNearby accommodations
Explore nearby hotels for additional accommodation options.
Hotel information about Nearby accommodations
Things to Do
The Rochester International Jazz Festival kicks off June 19th. Consider extending your stay to attend one of the world’s leading jazz festivals.
Learn more about Things to DoWe know that meaningful education extends beyond the traditional classroom. By thoughtfully integrating technology with hands-on learning, we create flexible, learner-centered experiences that connect theory to practice and equip our students to thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape.
We know that meaningful education extends beyond the traditional classroom. By thoughtfully integrating technology with hands-on learning, we create flexible, learner-centered experiences that connect theory to practice and equip our students to thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape.
About the School of Nursing
State-of-the-art facilities
The summit will be hosted in the University of Rochester School of Nursing's vertical expansion, featuring 26,000 square feet of experiential learning, simulation, and student-centered spaces.
Explore the Facility
Apple Distinguished School
As an Apple Distinguished School, we are proud to showcase our commitment to innovation in education through this summit.
Innovation at the School
Global research university
The School of Nursing is a small and tight-knit campus community located in the heart of the world-class University of Rochester Medical Center.
About UR MedicineContact hours
Contact hours will be available for the University of Rochester School of Nursing's Experiential Learning Summit 2026: Bridging Academia and Clinical Practice through Digital Innovation.
The University of Rochester Center for Nursing Professional Development is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
