Wednesday, May 13 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST

This session examines global nurse migration patterns and how they intersect with U.S. workforce demand.

Topics include:

• Global mobility trends and U.S. shortage specialties
• Geographic distribution of nurse workforce gaps
• Federal and state policy trends
• Workforce planning implications for underserved communities
  

Panelists:

• Lauren Herckis, PhD, Senior Director, Center for Global Research and Policy, TruMerit
• Brendan Martin, PhD, Director, Research, National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
• Dr. Michelle Washko, Director, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Moderator: 

• Dr. Fernando Fleurquin, Special Advisor, Government Relations and Education, Michigan Language Assessment

Wednesday, May 13 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm EST

This session explores how immigration systems, workforce policy, and healthcare delivery must align to support internationally trained nurses.

Topics include:

• Legal immigration pathways for nurse recruitment
• Challenges during application and acculturation
• Ethical recruitment standards
• Policy levers to improve retention and patient care continuity

Panelists:

• Patti Arley, DPN, RN, NEA-BC, CEO & President, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions
• Rodrigo Gouveia, Chief Global Affairs Officer, TruMerit
• Amber Sprengard VP of Government Affairs and External Relations, Health Carousel International
• Lori Scheidt, MBA-HCM,  Executive Director, Missouri Board of Nursing
• Mukul Bakhshi, Esq. Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, The Evaluation Company

Moderator: 

• Sharon Harvey, Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Language Assessment

Thursday, May 14 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST

This panel highlights how states are addressing licensing pathways, reducing time-to-practice, and supporting long-term workforce stability.

Topics include:

• Contributions of internationally educated nurses
• State licensing requirements and reforms
• Strategies to reduce barriers to practice
• Measuring retention and workforce outcomes

Moderator: 

• Emily Tse, MPhil, Senior Director, Center for Knowledge Management, TruMerit

Panelists:

• Lori Scheidt, MBA-HCM,  Executive Director, Missouri Board of Nursing
• Maryland Board of Nursing
• Sandra Graham, Nurse Consultant, Nursing Assistant Education, Washington State Board of Nursing
• Jesler Molina, International Credentialing Policy & Communications Specialist, Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing 
• Luoana Leyes, Educational Case Manager, Washington State Puget Sound Welcome Back Center 
• Yennely Moss, Clinical Success Manager, Interstaff 
• Dr. Kyla Newbould, Director of Education and Examination, Maryland Board of Nursing
• Mrs. Carolyn Bailey, Director of Licensure, Maryland Board of Nursing

Thursday, May 14 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm EST

This session focuses on cross-sector solutions that address credential evaluation, licensure processes, workplace readiness, and professional integration.

Topics include:

• Examination and credentialing reform opportunities
• Workforce deployment and scope-of-practice alignment
• Cultural competency and professional support structures
• Actionable recommendations for regulators and employers

Panelists :

• Patrick King, Chief Business Development Officer, TruMerit
• Dr. Marlon Garzo Saria, President, Philippine Nurses Association of America
• Dr. Sarah Gray, Senior Vice President of Nursing Impact, American Nurses Association
• Stacy Maitha, Chief Nursing Officer, Interstaff
• Dr. Laura Messineo, Chief Nursing Officer, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions 
• Hector Martinez, Director, Adult Education, and Julie Clark, Associate Director, Kansas Board of Regents 
• Rachelle Olivar, President, IPASS Processing, Philippines
• Terry Siek, Director of Clinical Services, Kansas Hospital Association
• Jose Solis, International Credentialing Specialist, Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing 

Moderator: 

• Dr. Fernando Fleurquin, Special Advisor, Government Relations and Education, Michigan Language Assessment

Special Advisor for Government Relations and Education·Michigan Language Assessment

Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Language Assessment

Sharon Harvey has more than two decades of experience in the English language assessment industry, joining Michigan Language Assessment from Cambridge University Press & Assessment. In her early career she was a teacher of English as a foreign language before moving into business development and stakeholder management positions at Cambridge, and eventually managing an educational publishing division there.  Harvey assumed the position of CEO of Michigan Language Assessment in 2015, and has led the transformation and growth of the organization since that time. She hold a BA (Honors) in Spanish and Portuguese from the University of Southampton, an MA from the University of Cambridge, and an MBA from the University of Nottingham.

VP of Government Affairs & External Relations, Health Carousel

Director, Research at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Director of Licensure, Maryland Board of Nursing

Emily Tse is Senior Director, Global Affairs at TruMerit, where she advances the organization’s global initiatives, including workforce mobility, regulatory affairs, and policy advocacy. She supports these efforts through more than 25 years of experience in credentials evaluation, serving communities both in professional licensure and in higher ed. Emily has also focused on fraud detection, presenting on this topic and contributing to such publications as the Journal of Nursing Regulation in 2025, as well as the Guide to Bogus Institutions and Documents, published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) in 2021. She also serves on AACRAO’s International Education Standards Council (IESC). In 2019, she was presented with NAFSA’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Enrollment Management (IEM) and was inducted into The Association of International Credential Evaluation Professionals’ Hall of Acclaim in 2024.

Director, Adult Education at Kansas Board of Regents

International Credentialing Policy & Communications Specialist, Division of Professional Licensing, Utah Department of Commerce

International Credentialing Specialist, Division of Professional Licensing, Utah Department of Commerce

Associate Director, High School Equivalency·Kansas Board of Regents

Director of Education and Examination, Maryland Board of Nursing

Chief Nursing Officer at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions

Dr. Lauren Herckis is Senior Director of the Center for Global Research and Policy at TruMerit. Her research on workforce development, sociotechnical change, and culturally situated innovation helps leaders in competency-based postsecondary education and global health systems develop resilient infrastructure around the world

Lori Scheidt is the Executive Director of the Missouri State Board of Nursing with over 35 years of regulatory experience. Lori serves as the Treasurer of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s Board of Directors and is a former vice-chair of the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators Executive Committee.   She chaired a national fraud detection committee and has received many prestigious awards, including the R Louis McManus Award for sustained and significant contributions to nursing regulation.

Healthcare Educational Case Manager
Puget Sound Welcome Back Center

Luoana is an Educational Case Manager at the Welcome Back Center of Washington, where she supports internationally trained healthcare professionals in navigating credential evaluation, licensing pathways, and career re-entry into the U.S. workforce. She works closely with immigrant and refugee communities, providing individualized guidance and connecting participants to resources that support their professional and personal goals.

Originally trained as a dentist in her home country, Luoana experienced firsthand the challenges and barriers that internationally educated professionals face when trying to re-enter their professions in the United States. This experience has shaped her passion for this work and drives her commitment to helping others overcome similar obstacles.

Luoana has experience in program coordination, workforce development, and community engagement, particularly in supporting foreign-trained nurses and healthcare professionals. She plays a key role in coordinating and supporting participants through the MET (Michigan English Test) as part of their licensure pathway, as well as preparing for exams such as the NCLEX and other professional requirements.

She is dedicated to increasing access to opportunities and empowering participants to achieve their career goals.

President, Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA)

Dr. Marlon Garzo Saria, a global leader in nursing, professional association and military service, proudly carries his Philippine heritage as a cornerstone of his identity and professional journey. He serves as an Interim Executive Director for the Saint John’s Cancer Institute and Magnet Program Director and Nurse Scientist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Additionally, he holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, assigned to the 452d Aeromedical Staging Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, California. As President of the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Dr. Saria is committed to advocating for improved healthcare across all communities and increasing representation within the nursing profession. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing.

Michelle M. Washko, Ph.D., is a national expert on the health care and health support workforces in the United States. She is currently the Director of the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, Dr. Washko leads the federal government’s effort to broaden the evidence base around the nation’s health care providers. While her expertise spans the entire health labor force, she specializes in occupations in the long-term services and supports sector.

Dr. Washko joined the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis in August 2013 and served as its Deputy Director from 2014 to 2018. She previously worked at the Administration for Community Living and in the U.S. Department of Labor, where she developed employment initiatives for older workers. Prior to her federal service, she worked as a Senior Research Associate at LeadingAge. Dr. Washko holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in gerontology from the University of Massachusetts and an M.S. degree in individual and family studies from the University of Delaware.

Mukul Bakhshi, Esq., joined The Evaluation Company in 2025 as its first Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. He has strengthened TEC’s work in nursing and spearheaded corporate development efforts to advance instruction-focused education.

Prior to joining TEC, Mukul was Chief Global Affairs Officer at CGFNS (now TruMerit) where he built relationships with stakeholders at the intersection of healthcare, migration, and credential evaluation. At CGFNS, Mukul wrote extensively about nursing workforce issues, has presented at the United Nations and World Health Organization on nurse recruitment, and is served on the WHO’s Technical Expert Group on bilateral agreements in health care professional recruitment.

Since CGFNS’ acquisition of the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices in 2014, he led that multi-stakeholder initiative to advance fair and ethical recruitment practices of foreign-educated health professionals through research, education, and a voluntary recruiter certification program.

Previously, he served as a management and strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon.

Mukul Bakhshi received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and is admitted to the bar in the state of New York. He received his B.A. at Yale University, where he double majored in history and economics.

Chief Business Development Officer at TruMerit

Chief Clinical Officer, Medical Solutions

President, WorldWide Health Solutions

Patti Artley has more than 35 years of nursing experience and currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer at Medical Solutions. She also serves as President of Worldwide HealthStaff Solutions, Medical Solutions’ international division focused on connecting U.S. health systems with highly qualified, internationally educated nurses. She partners with Chief Nursing Officers from healthcare facilities to understand and address their clinical staffing needs. Before joining Medical Solutions, Patti served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Medical University of South Carolina where she also continues to serve as an affiliate assistant professor. Patti earned her Bachelor’s and a Master of Science in Nursing from Pennsylvania State University and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice, Nurse Executive from Old Dominion University. She maintains certification as an advanced nurse executive.

Founder & CEO, IPASS Business Processing Inc.

Rachelle Grace Olivar, RN, is a registered nurse, entrepreneur, and leader in nursing career support dedicated to helping Filipino healthcare professionals pursue global career opportunities. A graduate of San Pedro College Davao with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a USRN certification holder, she has built her career around empowering nurses to expand their horizons beyond local practice and into the international healthcare arena.

In 2016, she co-founded IPASS Business Processing Inc. together with her four sisters, driven by a shared vision of creating accessible pathways for Filipino healthcare professionals seeking international careers. Through her leadership, IPASS has become a trusted partner for thousands of aspiring nurses and healthcare workers navigating their professional journey abroad.

Known for her compassionate leadership and strong commitment to professional development, Ms. Olivar combines industry expertise with a genuine passion for mentorship. She continues to inspire healthcare professionals by promoting growth, excellence, and the pursuit of meaningful career advancement.

Through her work, Rachelle Grace Olivar, RN, remains committed to bridging dreams and opportunities, helping shape a future where more Filipino nurses can thrive on the global stage.

Executive Director, Maryland Board of Nursing

Rodrigo Gouveia is Chief Global Affairs Officer for TruMerit, a nonprofit organization serving the global community of healthcare professionals by providing services for career mobility, professional development, and care model evolution. In that role, Rodrigo leads the organization’s global affairs strategy, building relationships, advocating for better policies, and providing thought leadership.

Rodrigo has extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and management, global policy, and international affairs. He has represented organizations at the United Nations and its agencies, the G20, the World Bank, and the European Union, among others. He has developed engagement and development strategies for international organizations, governments, and NGOs across a variety of topics, including sustainable development, global health, climate change, and the social economy. Throughout his career, Rodrigo has held advisory roles on several regulatory agencies.

Rodrigo holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and a Master’s degree in Public Affairs, with honors, from the University of Missouri, USA.

Nurse Consultant·Washington State Board of Nursing

Dr. Sarah E. Gray joined the American Nurse Enterprise in November 2025 as the Senior Vice President of Nursing Impact. Dr. Gray is a creative visionary whose mission is to equip and empower others. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Nursing Impact for the American Nurses Association, overseeing nursing programs such as Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation; the Center for Ethics and Human Rights; nursing scope and standards; and global partnerships. Dr. Gray’s nursing career spans more than 24 years and includes 15 years in emergency, occupational, and employee health, as well as service as clinical adjunct faculty. In addition, Dr. Gray has been serving non-governmental organizations and associations for 25 years. Prior to joining the American Nurse Enterprise, Dr. Gray was the Chief Nursing Officer for Sigma Theta Tau International, where she developed strategic partnerships, continuing education programs, events, and led Sigma’s consultative status and programming with the United Nations (UN). Dr. Gray is a global speaker, author, and coach on practical solutions, professional branding, and leadership.

Chief Nursing Officer, Interstaff

Stacy Maitha is a nurse leader and global workforce strategist serving as Chief Nursing Officer at Interstaff, where she leads the clinical preparation, transition, and long-term success of internationally educated nurses entering the U.S. healthcare system. With deep expertise in cross-border nurse mobility, competency development, and workforce integration, she is at the forefront of designing scalable, outcomes-driven models that bridge the gap between international training and U.S. practice readiness. In her role, Stacy oversees clinical education strategy, readiness assessment, and transition-to-practice programming for internationally recruited nurses placed across U.S. health systems. She has pioneered accelerated onboarding frameworks that enable nurses to achieve independent practice in as little as 12 weeks, while maintaining high standards of patient safety, clinical competence, and retention.

Stacy’s work uniquely spans the full continuum from global recruitment to bedside integration, giving her a systems-level perspective on the barriers international nurses face, including licensure complexity, workforce readiness gaps, and misalignment between policy, regulation, and employer expectations. She collaborates closely with hospital leaders, educators, and policymakers to align workforce solutions with real-world clinical demands.

A passionate advocate for ethical recruitment and sustainable workforce development, Stacy is also leading the design of innovative training models, including hybrid transition-to-practice programs and international clinical bootcamps, aimed at improving readiness before and after arrival in the U.S.

Her insights are grounded in both frontline nursing leadership and global workforce strategy, making her a critical voice in advancing practical, scalable solutions to reduce barriers and strengthen the integration of international nurses into the U.S. healthcare system.

Terry Siek is the Director of Clinical Services for the Kansas Hospital Association. He recently transitioned into this role after more than 36 years at Hays Medical Center, where he served as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services. Throughout his career, Terry has played a pivotal role in advancing nursing practice, building leadership capacity, and guiding organizations through major clinical and cultural transformations. He is known for his approachable leadership style, steady decision-making, and ability to create environments where nurses feel supported and empowered. Terry’s influence extends beyond individual institutions, contributing to nursing workforce development and community health initiatives across Kansas.

Clinical Success Manager, Interstaff

Yennely Moss, BSN, RN, is a registered nurse who earned her degree through a four-year program at a local university in her hometown in Costa Rica. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare. Her experience spans hospice, Med-Surg, cardiology, orthopedics, clinics, home health, and the emergency department. With 20 years of experience, Yennely believes in focusing on the whole person when caring for her patients. She is passionate about providing high-quality care while remaining mindful of each patient’s individual preferences and needs, and she has a lifelong commitment to helping others. Yennely immigrated to the United States eight years ago under the sponsorship and guidance of an agency, where she successfully completed her contract. She now works as core staff for the organization as part of the clinical team. She began as a Clinical Coordinator, interviewing potential nurse candidates, and later advanced to Nurse Development Manager, where she oversaw NCLEX preparation and education across various platforms. She also collaborates with team members to host clinical webinars for nurses preparing to begin their careers in the U.S. In her current role as a Clinical Success Manager, Yennely supports international nurses working in U.S. hospitals by providing clinical coaching sessions. She also holds a part-time position in the emergency department at a local hospital to keep her skills current. Yennely is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and SIENNA, and she is currently pursuing her MSN in Leadership. Outside of her professional work, she is active in her church and enjoys spending time with her 15-year-old daughter, participating in sports, movies, and other activities.