January 23, 2026
SIU offering two spring conferences for nursing students, professionals and EMS personnel
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Two separate health care events for nursing professionals and students as well as EMS personnel are coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale this spring.
The second annual Southern Illinois Nursing Education Conference (SINEC) is set for March 20 and promises to inspire, empower and connect members of the region’s nursing community. The theme of the SIU College of Health and Human Sciences’ event, “Transforming the Culture of Care: Integrating Wellness into Education,” was chosen to illustrate the goal of bringing wellness, resilience and innovation to the forefront in nursing education and practice.
In addition, the Southern Illinois University Pediatric Symposium, coming April 7, is designed for college students and EMS providers and will feature an impressive group of pediatric clinicians and professionals from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN), sharing their expertise through lectures and skill stations.
More about the nursing conference
Bernadette Mazurek MeInyk, nurse practitioner, author, innovator and entrepreneur, will present the keynote address at the nursing educators conference. Her presentation will focus on “Don’t Just Survive: Evidence-based Strategies to Prevent Burnout and Enhance Well-being in Academic Communities.”
She is a pediatric nurse practitioner, holds a master’s in nursing degree and completed her doctorate in clinical research and psychiatric nurse practitioner education at the University of Rochester. Founder and CEO of COPE2Thrive, LLC and president and co-founder of EBP Solutions LLC, she was the vice president for health promotion and chief wellness officer at Ohio State University for 13 years, where she also taught, served as dean of the university’s College of Nursing and instituted the first doctor of nursing education program in the country. She has won a variety of awards for her work and serves as editor-in-chief for Sigma’s top-ranked journal, “Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing.”
The all-day conference, which will take place at the SIU Student Center, 1265 Lincoln Drive, will also feature a variety of other panels, guest presenters, poster presentations from SIU nursing students and more. Sessions will highlight the latest teaching strategies in the field of nursing, helping participants connect knowledge with practice, fostering growth and promoting critical thinking skills and flexibility.
Additional details about the nursing/EMS symposium
SIU nursing students and community EMS providers and nurses can enhance their skills and experience during the 2026 SIU Pediatric Symposium. Expert practitioners will share their knowledge in a wide array of pediatric health areas. Along with guest presentations, there will be assorted skills stations to help participants perfect various techniques and treatments.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is available online.
Learn more
Sponsorships opportunities are available for both conferences by visiting the respective websites. Participants for each conference may register online, by email, fax (618-453-5680) or by calling SIU’s Events and Outreach at 618-536-7751. Direct questions about either conference to Erica Blumenstock, assistant professor in the School of Health Sciences, at erica.blumenstock@siu.edu. For conference registration details, contact Rebecca Dycus, program director at SIU Events and Outreach, at rdycus@siu.edu.