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
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.
She spent her early career as a surgical ICU nurse before moving into management roles, including Nurse Educator, Director of Nursing, and ultimately Vice President of Cardiovascular Services at Centura Health, formerly Colorado’s largest healthcare system. In that role, she focused on developing comprehensive cardiovascular services across both inpatient and outpatient settings, with a particular emphasis on rural healthcare.
Judy has a proven track record of building successful companies. She effectively helped commercialize innovative healthcare service concepts at four startup companies, including iRhythm Technologies, Inc., (NASDAQ: IRTC) where she served in multiple roles, including Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
Currently, she is the CEO of NeuroInsights, a neuro-psych data startup, and serves as an advisor for Northwestern University spinout Cardiosense, a company specializing in AI diagnostics for heart failure. Judy also serves as Principal and CEO of Digital HealthTech Consulting.
Pitch Competition Judges
Jon Darsee
Matt Warrens
Emily Ward, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN
Judy Lenane, RN, MHA, BSN
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