UW-Eau Claire College of Nursing to host nursing seminar Oct. 23-24

The two-day seminar will feature Dr. Maxim Topaz, the Elizabeth Standish Gill associate professor of nursing at Columbia University School of Nursing. An internationally recognized expert in health informatics and artificial intelligence, Topaz will share how nurses are leading advancements in clinical workflows, decision-making and patient-centered care. The events are open to students, faculty staff and clinical community partners.

Topaz was born in Russia and lived in Israel before coming to the U.S. to complete a Ph.D. in nursing informatics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007. A prolific scholar, consultant, speaker and teacher, Topaz describes his work as “building artificial intelligence tools to help nurses make the best choices in care so patients have better medical outcomes.”

Dr. Kristen Abbott-Anderson, dean of the College of Nursing, is pleased to welcome Topaz as the second annual keynote speaker for the seminar series.

“Dr. Topaz is an expert with AI and health care, timely topics in academia and in healthcare in general,” Abbott-Anderson says.

“We greatly look forward to learning how we can harness the opportunities and use of AI in nursing, and balance this with a better understanding of challenges and shortcomings of AI technology.”

The seminar and guest lecture series was established by nursing alumna Mary C. Bliss and her husband Fred Bliss, generous supporters of the College of Nursing who established this lecture series as well as several scholarships and fellowships within the college.

The following elements of the seminar require registration:

• One-on-one time with Topaz. Oct. 23, various times, Room 276, Nursing Building. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and community/clinical partners. 20-minute time slots are available. Sign up for appointments.
• Keynote event. Oct. 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Ojibwe Ballroom, Davies Center. Topaz will present “Charting the Future: How Nurses Are Driving the Al Transformation in Healthcare.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; keynote address at 6 p.m., followed by a reception. RSVP for keynote event.
• Breakfast with AI and nursing informatics panel and Topaz. Oct. 24, 9-11 a.m. Open to faculty, staff and community/clinical partners. Space is limited. Council Oak Room, Davies Center. RSVP for breakfast panel.