Theme: Transforming Health Care Through AI, Big Data and Innovation

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Location: Wayne State University Main Campus, Student Center (5221 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI 48202)
Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST

Overview

Join researchers, clinicians and community partners for a day focused on how artificial intelligence, big data and innovation are reshaping care delivery and outcomes in urban settings. Nurse scientists, faculty, students, practicing clinicians, health system leaders, community partners and policymakers interested in urban health are encouraged to attend.

Schedule

The schedule outlines a full day at the Urban Health Research Conference, beginning with registration and breakfast, followed by welcome remarks, a keynote address, an expert panel on AI in health care, three breakout sessions and concluding with a poster session, networking and a wine and cheese reception.

Keynote Address

Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP
Professor and Dean, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota and a 2025 Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing

"AI and Big Data Empowering Transformation of Care Delivery"

At the 2026 Urban Health Research Conference, Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP will present “AI and Big Data Empowering Transformation of Care Delivery.” Her lecture will explore how artificial intelligence and data science can drive equitable, human-centered health transformation. Drawing on her decades of research and leadership, she will highlight how nurses and interprofessional teams can co-create ethical, people-first applications of AI that strengthen patient care, advance health equity and preserve the essential humanity of the profession.

Panelists

This expert panel of community health leaders in research and administration will examine how AI is already shaping care quality, operations and patient outcomes. They will also share insights into the future of healthcare, including where AI is headed and what it will take for organizations to use these tools responsibly and effectively.

• Eric Kaplan, VP, Chief Information Officer, NorthStar Care Community | Beyond the Algorithm: Enhancing Care & Connection
• Steven J. Korzeniewski, PhD, Principal Investigator, PHOENIX Project and Associate Professor – Clinical, Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine
• Jodyn Platt, PhD, MPH, Assoc Prof of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Michigan and Assoc Prof of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
• Jill Sheipline, MSHI, BSN, RN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, Corewell Health
• Eric Wallis, DNP, MSA, RN, NE-BC, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, Henry Ford Health

Breakout Sessions

• #1 – Where Virtual Meets Vulnerability: AI-Enhanced Augmented Reality Therapy for PTSD and Anxiety Across Diverse Populations | Arash Javanbakht, MD & Dalia Khalil, PhD, RN

• #2 – Faculty Intelligence Meets Artificial Intelligence: AI-Driven Excellence (AIDE) in Programmatic Assessment for Interprofessional Education across Health Professions | Aline Saad, PharmD; Randon Jenkins, RN, BSN, DNP, AGPCNP-BC; Caitlin Rukat, MS; Brian J. Barnes, Pharm

• #3 – Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Across the Care Continuum: Pediatric Sepsis Detection to Patient-Centered Care in Aging Populations | Cynthera McNeill, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-C, FAANP & Stacey Sears, DNP, CPNP-AC

Continuing Education

This activity has been submitted to the Ohio Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. The Ohio Nurses Association is an Ohio Board of Nursing approver of nursing continuing education. (OBN-001-91)

The following relevant financial relationships have been found related to this activity:

1. Eric Wallis, DNP, MSA, RN, RE-BC, FACHE | Henry Ford Health - Expert Panel Speaker
2. Jill Sheipline, MSHI, BSN, RN | Corewell Health - Expert Panel Speaker
3. Eric Kaplan | NorthStar Care Community - Expert Panel Speaker
4. NorthStar Care Community - Sponsor

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Pending approval, the certificate for 4.25 contact hours will be available electronically after attendance at the entire conference, viewing nine posters and submission of the survey evaluating all of the conference program.

Conference Sponsors

We are thrilled to thank our UHRC '26 sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Hospice of Michigan

• Gold Sponsor: Henry Ford Health

Questions?

Please reach out to CoNOHR@wayne.edu.