Connect

“It’s about showing up for ourselves, our patients, and each other — and finding the space to keep learning, connecting, and leading."

Nurses filled the ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Charlottesville, Virginia for the UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO)’s 2025 Nursing Summit on Nov. 20.  

The purpose of this year's event: to promote awareness of how "imposter syndrome" can play a role in keeping registered nurses (RNs) from achieving their full potential — and to identify strategies addressing imposter syndrome so every RN is empowered to speak up, build connections with interprofessional colleagues, continue professional growth, and actively elevate professional practice. 

A special thank you to the NPGO Nursing Summit Planning Committee for their creativity and work to plan and host this large-scale internal conference for nurses across UVA Health. 

‘So Very Empowering!’ 

Clara Winfield, MSN, RN, CAPA, CNL, 2025 NPGO President-Elect, delivered the welcome, led a networking activity, and delivered closing remarks. “I was that person who turned down opportunities for growth and development in my career because I felt underqualified or ill-equipped to take on such amazing opportunities,” she explained. “Learning about what imposter syndrome is and recognizing how it shows up in ourselves and our colleagues has really changed how I think of myself and my abilities."

She adds: "It's also enabled me to flip these self-imposed feelings into something positive. Knowing I can speak up and use my voice when decisions affecting nursing arise is so important and very empowering!”

2025 NPGO President Danita Massie, MSN, RN, CNL introduced her fellow 2025 NPGO officers, presented a year-end review, expressed gratitude for all accomplished, and delivered a call to action: “We can’t let the momentum slip and we can’t stop caring. Our profession of nursing is not a finite passing, but one of endurance and perpetuity, so we must continue to care a whole awful lot. We need to mentor that care into those who eventually will take our profession in our stead into the future to come.” 

UVA Health University Medical Center Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC addressed the audience. "What an incredible day! Thank you for showing up with openness, curiosity, and heart. We’ve heard inspiring stories, learned new strategies, and connected with one another in ways that strengthen our entire nursing community. Being fully present is the first step in elevating our practice and achieving our potential."  

‘Conquer Your Imposter’ 

Alison Shamir delivered the keynote on "UnMasking Imposter Syndrome." Sharing aspects of her personal story, Shamir brought clarity to the subject of imposter syndrome with clear definitions and examples of how it can be experienced and by whom. She offered practical advice on how to start your own journey to “Conquer Your Imposter” — the title of her new book — encouraging attendees to attune themselves to hear it when their colleague’s “imposter” starts to show. 

Tracey Hoke, MD, MSc, Chief of Quality, Performance Improvement, and Population Health, UVA Health University Medical Center, delivered "A Leadership Journey: The Long and Winding Road," sharing her personal story from student to leader — and the wisdom learned along the way. 

Rose Markey, MA, Senior Learning and Development Consultant, and Lauren Shepherd, MA, Senior Organizational Development Consultant, led a workshop on "From Imposter to Empowered: Practical Strategies for Nurses," offering tools and leading attendees through scenarios to dive into how nurses support themselves and each other when imposter syndrome becomes a limiting factor to achieving their personal and professional goals.  

Cultivating Healthy Communities 

Kristina Smith, CPRS, RPRS, IFPRS, Executive Director, Georgia's Friends, Inc., thanked attendees for participating in this year’s service project. Georgia’s Friends provides programs and services in Charlottesville and Albemarle County to help women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges. Georgia’s House, the signature initiative, provides hope and healing through a safe, therapeutic, and structured home for women in recovery.   

Summit attendees donated household goods. Others purchased items from this Amazon Wishlist or New Resident Welcome Bag Wish List and had them shipped directly to the charity. Both wish lists are still open if you’d like to donate.