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November 19 & 20, 2025

Locations

November 19: Cherokee Regional Medical Center | 300 Sioux Valley Dr, Cherokee, IA | 3rd Floor Conference Room A

November 20: Iowa City, Iowa | UI Health Care Medical Center Conference Room JCP 2415 (Take Elevator F to 2nd floor)

About the Roadshow

This two-day event brings nurse-led innovation to communities across Iowa, featuring inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and a live pitch competition.

  • November 19 (Cherokee, Iowa): Ignite – Hear from leading nurse innovators, including keynote speaker Judy Lenane, and take part in a hands-on Spark Session designed to fuel creativity and problem-solving.
  • November 20 (Iowa City, Iowa): Impact – Experience the energy of nurse innovators pitching their ideas to improve patient care, hear from keynote speaker and nurse innovator Judy Lenane, followed by an awards ceremony and networking.

Whether you’re a nurse, healthcare professional, or simply passionate about advancing patient care, the Roadshow is your chance to see innovation in action and connect with changemakers shaping the future of healthcare.

Schedule of Events

Day 1: Wednesday, November 19

11:30am–2:00pm | Cherokee, Iowa
  • Lunch and Networking: 11:30am
  • Welcome and About Nurse Innovators: 11:45am-12:00pm
  • Keynote – Four I’s: The Intersection of Innovation, Intuition, and Artificial Intelligence in Nursing: 12:00-1:00pm
  • Spark Workshop: 1:00-2:00pm

Day 2: Thursday, November 20

2:00–7:00pm | Iowa City, Iowa
  • Welcome from Kim Hunter and Jon Darsee: 2:00-2:15pm
  • Keynote – Four I’s: The Intersection of Innovation, Intuition, and Artificial Intelligence in Nursing: 2:15 - 3:00pm
  • Nurse Innovators Pitch 3:10-5:10pm
  • Awards, Networking, and Refreshments: 5:45-7:00pm
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Meet the Keynote: Judy Lenane, RN, MHA, BSN

Judith (Judy) Lenane is a distinguished healthcare executive who seamlessly combines a clinical background with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. As a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA), Judy has built a career characterized by leadership and innovation in healthcare.

With a proven track record of building successful companies, by effectively commercializing innovative healthcare service concepts, Judy currently serves as Principal and CEO of Digital HealthTech Consulting. In addition, she is the fractional CEO of NeuroInsights, a neuro-psych data startup, and also an Advisor for Cardiosense, a company specializing in AI diagnostics for heart failure.

Throughout her career, Judy has founded four successful cardiovascular med-tech and digital health service companies. Her most notable venture, iRhythm Technologies, Inc., was born from a concept developed at Stanford University's Biodesign program. As a pioneering force in digital healthcare cardiovascular services, iRhythm is renowned for innovative products, including the Zio® by iRhythm. Over her 14-year tenure at iRhythm, Judy held several key roles, including Chief Clinical Officer, where she led clinical evidence generation for reimbursement, in addition to positions as COO, EVP of Clinical Operations, and EVP of Product.

Before making a significant impact at iRhythm, Judy served as the Vice President of Business Development for Centura Health, formerly Colorado's largest healthcare system, focusing on the development of comprehensive cardiovascular services across both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Her commitment to excellence extends to her role as the former Chair of the Board of Directors for HSS, Inc., a provider of healthcare and aviation security services and Independent Director for Cardiosense.

Judy’s “North Star” in her career is to prioritize patient care above all. She believes that putting patients first, followed closely by the needs of physicians and nurses, creates substantial value for organizations. This patient-centered approach not only enhances the quality of care but also fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals, leading to innovation, improved patient outcomes, and organizational success.

Outside her professional pursuits, Judy is an avid multi-sport endurance athlete. She enjoys running with her English Springer Spaniel, Philly, and biking alongside her husband, Graham. Judy believes that movement is the fountain of youth, reflecting her commitment to both personal and professional well-being.

Pitch Competition Judges

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Jon Darsee

Chief Innovation Officer, University of Iowa
Matthew Warrens

Matt Warrens

Venture Capitalist in Residence, University of Iowa Office of Innovation
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Emily Ward, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus
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Judy Lenane, RN, MHA, BSN

CEO, NeuroInsights, Inc Principal and CEO, Digital HealthTech Consulting

Pitch Competition Application

The Pitch Competition is open to any nurse innovator currently engaged in the Nurse Innovators program. Applications are open and should be submitted using the form below. Applications close on November 1st. Once accepted, applicants will receive coaching, including a sample pitch deck and video. Submissions will be reviewed and revised with guidance from our expert panel before the competition.

Pitch Competition Awards:

  • 1st Place: $10,000
  • 2nd Place: $5,000
  • 3rd Place: $2,000
Must be an inventor in the state of Iowa who has engaged with the Iowa Nurse Innovators program.
For example: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Davis County Hospitals and Clinics, etc.
Inventor department (e.g. Main Operating Room, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emergency Room, etc.)
What is current SOC and what is wrong with it? (1-2 paragraphs)
For example: Staff Nurse, Nursing Practice Leader, Nurse Clinician, etc.
Provide a brief description of invention. Why is it better than the standard of care? (1-2 paragraphs).  
After you're done with your MakerHealth kits, what do you envision needing to do next?
1 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

RSVP to Attend the Nurse Innovators Roadshow

Which day(s) do you plan on attending?
4 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.