The Littlefield Leadership Lecture is the signature lecture series at the UW–Madison School of Nursing. The annual event honors the 16-year contribution of Dean Emerita Vivian Littlefield, PhD, RN, FAAN, in her role as dean and professor of the School of Nursing. The established lectureship honors Dean Littlefield’s past leadership in the School, and also recognizes and promotes the development of leadership in nursing and health care. Supported by the Friends of Littlefield, a group of alumni, friends, and donors who have financially supported the Littlefield Leadership Lecture since its inception, the purpose of the lecture series is to highlight nurse leadership with the goal to reinforce the importance of leaders in nursing and nursing education. By educating and informing the role of nurses in addressing diverse health needs, the School of Nursing highlights the importance of expanding nursing research, educating nurses on the future of care, and improving health outcomes for all through innovation. Each lecture features invited nurse leaders who have shaped the clinical, academic, or public policy dimensions within the nursing arena.
“For more than two decades, Littlefield Leadership Lectures have reflected the limitless ways that nurses impact the profession and society. These annual talks are more than a valued tradition; they are an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of leadership that characterizes nursing.” — Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEABC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN, dean and professor, School of Nursing
The first lecture was held on September 29, 2000, and featured Connie Curran ’69, EdD, RN, FAAN, a respected health care scholar, entrepreneur, and nursing advocate. Curran’s talk, Nursing Greatness: Past as Prologue, addressed nursing greatness in the past and how challenges of the present day impact the essential human-based competencies that are grounded in nursing.
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An endowment fund was created to secure the Littlefield Leadership Lectures’ longevity in promoting nursing excellence.
Most recently, the 24th annual Littlefield Leadership Lecture was honored to host United States Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, MSN/MPH, RN, (IL-14), a member of the House of Representatives, registered nurse, and co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus that addresses America’s Black Maternal Health crisis in Congress and advances policy solutions to improve maternal health outcomes and end disparities. Typically held in the fall of each year, early formats of the lecture included a panel discussion in the morning, followed by the signature lecture held around mid-day, with a reception to conclude the event. With circumstances in 2020 requiring a shift in delivery, recent lectures have moved to a hybrid approach of in-person and online viewing, allowing the reach of the event to broaden while still delivering on the same exceptional quality of content that has become expected of the series.
Now in its 25th year, the Littlefield Leadership Lecture series will continue to raise the bar on highlighting nurse leadership. The 2024 Littlefield Leadership Lecture is scheduled for November 8 as part of the School’s centennial weekend.