Title: "Rewriting Care: AI, Ethics and Equity in the Health Professions"

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming health care, influencing how clinicians assess risk, make decisions, conduct research and care for patients. As its role continues to grow, health professionals must also confront critical questions about trust, ethics, bias and misinformation.

Join the Wayne State University College of Nursing for the 2026 Dr. Virginia Hill Rice Endowed Distinguished Lecture, featuring nationally recognized nurse leader, researcher and Wayne State alumna Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD ’93, RN, FAAN. Health care professionals, educators, researchers, students, alumni and community partners are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Villarruel will explore the opportunities artificial intelligence presents across health care while encouraging an open conversation about how nurses and other health professionals can use these tools responsibly. Her presentation will examine how health care leaders can embrace innovation without losing sight of the people, families and communities at the center of their work.

Dr. Villarruel describes the lecture as an opportunity for dialogue. Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on the benefits and limitations of artificial intelligence and share their perspectives on its responsible use.

“We do this on behalf of our patients and the families and communities we serve,” Dr. Villarruel said.

What can attendees expect?

Artificial intelligence is already changing nearly every aspect of health care practice. Its applications range from predictive modeling and risk assessment to rapid information synthesis, research support, workforce efficiency and clinical decision-making.

Dr. Villarruel will discuss these emerging opportunities as well as the questions that must guide their use:

• Can artificial intelligence be trusted?

• How can health professionals recognize and reduce bias?

• What ethical risks must health care organizations address?

• How should clinicians respond to inaccurate or misleading information?

• How can health professionals preserve human judgment, relationships and compassion as technology advances?

The lecture will invite attendees to consider not only what artificial intelligence can do, but how it should be used to improve outcomes for patients, families and communities.

Panel discussion

The event will also feature a panel discussion exploring how artificial intelligence is already shaping nursing education, therapy development, community-based care and patient care technologies. Erik Carter, PhD, MS, APRN-ACNS, CCRN-A, PHN; Dalia Khalil, PhD, RN; Cynthera McNeill, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-C, FAANP; and John Roberts, MHA, will share practical perspectives on how AI can support nurses, strengthen care and improve health outcomes across a range of settings.